PRECIFAC to grill former minister Pushpakumara

•  Probe to investigate financial fraud at Coconut Development Board

Former Minister of Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development Jagath Pushpakumara will appear before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) tomorrow.

Pushpakumara, a former MP from Monaragala, will be grilled over financial irregularities alleged to have taken place at the Coconut Development Board during the tenure of the previous Government.

“The PRECIFAC, following a complaint, is investigating financial irregularities which took place at the Coconut Development Board. He will be there to give a statement,” PRECIFAC Secretary Lacille De Silva, told the Daily FT.

High Court Judges Padman Surasena (Chairman), Amendra Seneviratna, Vikum Kaluarachchi, Gihan Kulatunga and former Auditor General B.A. Premathilake are serving as PRECIFAC commissioners, who have been appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena to probe large-scale fraud, corruption and abuse of power, state resources and privileges which took place during the rule of the previous Government.

The next public hearing of the PRECIFAC will be held on 5 and 6 November at the BMICH. (SS)