UPFA still owes Rs. 115 m to ITN

SLFP claims part payment already made :

Working Director of the State-run Independent Television Network (ITN), Dhanushka Ramanayake, yesterday confirmed that Rs.115 million due to the ITN on account of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa campaign advertising ahead of the January 2015 presidential election remained unsettled to date, despite claims to the contrary.

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) is currently probing the matter.

A report is to be handed over to President Maithripala Sirisena this month.

Ramanayake said the ITN has conducted an internal audit inquiry into the matter and has submitted the report to PRECIFAC.

Top sources from PRECIFAC confirmed the investigations have already been concluded and the next step would be to refer the same for legal action to ensure recovery of dues, once the report is submitted to President Sirisena.

Six persons including former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, former media minister Keheliya Rambukwella and former ITN Chairman Anura Siriwardena have been noticed to appear before the Commission during October 15-30.

Of the 800 complaints lodged with the Commission so far, investigations have been completed in respect of three, including the ITN inquiry.

Contradicting Ramanayake's claims, SLFP Media Spokesman, Dilan Perera told the Sunday Observer that Rs.115 million to be paid to the ITN for election propaganda advertisements of former President will be duly settled soon and confirmed part payment has already been made.

"I am sure the advertising company will settle the balance. I do not understand why some people want to dredge this matter up repeatedly. A certain section of the media wants to create a rift between former UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa by doing this," he alleged.

Perera said that since part payment has been made, there is no question of the balance being not paid. "This is also what the former UPFA general secretary said," he pointed out.

Former UPFA general secretary Susil Premajayantha was summoned before the PRECIFAC on September 30 to record his statement following a statement recorded by former president Mahinda Rajapaksa.Rajapaksa claimed the UPFA general secretary at the time was responsible for the non-payment of Rs. 115 million to ITN for telecast of advertisements.Premajayanth has publicly disowned responsibility for authorizing the advertisements or repayment, claiming that it was the responsibility of the media and propaganda affairs committee of the party.