Akila refutes claims of extra expenditure to print school text books

Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam today (Jul 1) refuted claims that an additional cost had been incurred to print school text books with his colour photo and message.

He made these remarks after testifying before the police unit of the Presidential Commission probing state sector corruption this morning.

“It has been the custom to print the message of the Education Minister,” Mr. Kariyawasam said adding that he had submitted samples of messages printed by former ministers and presidents.

Parliamentarian Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa had filed a complaint at the Presidential Commission stating that the government had incurred extra expenditure to print Mr. Kariyawasam’s colour photo and message.

I.M.K.B. Illangasinghe, an Education Ministry Director had told the Presidential Commission that the colour photo and message had been printed on the instructions of Education Minister Kariyawasam. However, he denied making such remarks afterwards.

The Education Minister told reporters that he had previously instructed a probe to be carried out into Mr. Illangasinghe over certain allegations against him during his tenure as Commissioner General of Educational Publications.

“Against this backdrop will I issue instructions to him (to print the text books)? He is a person who is supposed to be interdicted,” Mr. Kariyawasam remarked.

The Education Minister has been issued summons to appear before the Presidential Commission on July 8.