Ranil unable to appear before PCoI this week, reschedules for Oct 23

News

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has been notified to appear before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing state sector corruption, on October 23, after he had informed that he would not be able to appear as scheduled on October 18.

The Prime Minister was informed to appear before the PCoI on October 18 to give evidence over a complaint filed against the storage of paddy at the Mattala Airport.

However, he had informed the Commission that he would not be able to do so due to certain events in Jaffna.

Meanwhile, former SriLankan Airlines Chairman Ajith Dias is expected to give evidence before the PCoI over the same complaint tomorrow.

The Prime Minister's senior advisor Charitha Ratwatte, who was also notified to give evidence tomorrow (Oct 16), has informed that he would not be able to appear for tomorrow's sittings.

The PCoI is yet to issue a date for Ratwatte to make his testimony.

Former Paddy Marketing Board Chairman M. Bandara who gave evidence this week, told the Commission that 4000 metric tonnes of paddy had been stored at the Mattala Airport upon receiving cabinet approval.

This had been done in keeping with a promise made by Minister Daya Gamage at an election rally, he claimed.

Bandara said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had told him through a telephone call, to store paddy at the Mattala Airport. He claimed that Ratwatte, the Prime Minister's Senior Advisor had co-ordinated the process.