Presidential Commission probe into fraud and corruption of ‘Yahapalanaya’ gives final report

• Report handed over President Sirisena
• Looks at irregularities in State institutions between 2015-2018
• Commission was appointed in January 2019

The final report of the Presidential Commission to probe fraud and corruption in State institutes during the period 15 January 2015 to 31 December 2018 was presented to President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday.

The Commission was tasked with examining complaints and allegations made against persons who had held or continue to hold political office and those who have been or continue to be public servants and officers of statutory bodies, regarding acts of corruption, fraud, criminal breach of trust, criminal misappropriation of property, cheating and abuse or misuse of power or authority, State resources and privileges, which offences and acts of wrongdoing had occurred during the said period and resulted in serious loss or damage to State assets and revenue .

The Commission was headed by the retired Judge of the Supreme Court Upaly Abeyrathne while retired Judge of the High Court Sarojini Kusala Weerawardena, retired Auditor General Pasdunkorale Arachchige Pemathilaka, retired Ministry Secretary Lalith R. de Silva and retired Deputy Inspector General M. K. D. Wijaya Amarasinghe served as its members.

President Sirisena appointed the Commission in January 2019.