News Today: CID investigates ex-Ministers over misuse of President’s Fund

In a significant legal development, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has obtained Court approval to probe the bank accounts of 12 former Ministers and Members of Parliament, including high-profile figures such as Rajitha Senaratne, Dayasiri Jayasekara, and Keheliya Rambukwella. The probe is related to allegations of misusing public funds from the President’s Fund by submitting false information to obtain money exceeding approved limits.

The order was issued by Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura on May 21, empowering the Commercial Crimes Division of the CID to inspect accounts held in state banks. The CID’s request followed a tip-off received by the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) concerning irregularities in fund disbursements.

The Court also instructed the relevant state bank to fully cooperate with the investigation and provide access to all necessary financial records. This order is part of a broader investigation into 22 public representatives, after a preliminary inquiry into 36 individuals.

The CID has named several individuals in the investigation, including P. Harrison, Piyasena Gamage, Sumedha Jayasena, Manoj Sirisena, S.C. Muthukumarana, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, and many others. Significantly, hospital directors from both public and private sectors, along with the Foreign Secretary, have also been ordered to assist the ongoing probe.

Among those who allegedly received the largest sums from the fund are D.M. Jayaratne, Ranjith Zoysa, M.K.A.D.S. Gunawardena, Keheliya Rambukwella, Rajitha Senaratne, and John Amaratunga. Others who received substantial amounts include Joseph Michael Perera, Alec Aluvihare, Vidura Wickramanayake, and Lucky Jayawardena.

This CID investigation into former Ministers’ financial misconduct reflects growing public concern over political corruption in Sri Lanka. The probe is expected to uncover more details about the misuse of the President’s Fund and bring accountability to those involved.