Presidential Commission: More Ratna Lanka officers summoned

Monday, 14 September 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

More officers of the Government-owned security provider Rakna Araksha Lanka Ltd. (RALL) will testify 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) this week.

They will appear before the PRECIFAC commissioners - High Court Judges Padman Surasena, Amendra Seneviratna, Vikum Kaluarachchi and Gihan Kulatunga and former Auditor General B.A. Premathilake at the third public hearing, scheduled to be held on 17 and 18 September at the BMICH. Untitled-1

RALL, according to its website, is “a Sri Lanka Government-owned business undertaking in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence to provide top notch security services to fully address the security needs of the commercial sector”. Its services include industrial security, commercial security, air security, maritime security and specialised training

The PRECIFAC Secretary Lacille de Silva said that allegations against RALL included the deployment of over 500 RALL employees for the presidential campaign in 2015 in support of ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa, the misuse of Rs. six million for deploying RALL security personnel and giving temporary employment to 150 Civil Defence Force personnel to carry out the duties of those who were deployed for the election campaign.

“The present Chairman of RALL, Victor Samaraweera, will also be there before the PRECIFAC this week to clarify particular details surrounding the allegations,” de Silva said.

Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa was also questioned by the PRECIFAC over the same allegations of misusing State funds and using RALL staffers for the 2015 presidential election campaign, on 24 August.

The PRECIFAC, which is investigating serious acts of fraud, corruption and abuse of power, state resources and privileges, was appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena and it has the power to summon any person regardless of their political affiliations.

Meanwhile, some staffers of the Vocational Training Institute in Ratmalana will also be questioned by the PRECIFAC over the misuse of vehicle permits issued for lecturers.