Former MP Sajin Vass Gunawardena appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday (27) to provide a statement in connection with an investigation into an alleged $5 million bribe linked to the sale of the former Army Headquarters land to Shangri-La.
The investigation was launched following a complaint lodged with CIABOC alleging that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had received a $5 million bribe in connection with the sale of the land.
Gunawardena, who appeared before the Commission following a summons, reportedly provided a statement for nearly three hours before leaving.
The complaint had been lodged by the organisation “Citizens’ Power Against Bribery, Corruption and Waste” and was reportedly based partly on statements previously made by Gunawardena to the media.
According to the complaint, citing an affidavit by a Singaporean national identified as Vidambaram, funds allegedly channelled through consultancy firms identified as “TPL Itma” and “Heliat” had been used to purchase a hotel in Tangalle and had also been provided to the CSN media network.
CIABOC is investigating the allegations surrounding the transaction.
