The Bribery Commission has informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court that it expects to record a statement from former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on July 27 regarding the recovery of Rs. 17.85 million from the President's House on July 9, 2022.

The Bribery Commission had commenced an investigation into this incident following a complaint lodged by the Puravesi Balaya Organisation.

Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage had earlier issued notices on Bribery Commission officials to appear before court to inquire whether a sum of Rs. 17.85 million recovered from the President's House on 9th July, 2022 would come under the offences relating to the Bribery Act. 

Meanwhile, in his second statement to the CID regarding the investigations into the recovery of Rs. 17.85 million from the President's House by Aragalaya activists, former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has stated that the cash found inside the President’s Office was given by businessmen attached to the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and the money in question was to be distributed among the people whose houses were destroyed by the protesters.

However, the former President had told the CID that he was not in a position to reveal the names of persons who contributed to the funds since the documents pertaining to the financial records had been misplaced following the occupation of the premises by Aragalaya activists.

Meanwhile, the CID submitted to court that the extracts of the investigations are to be sent to the Attorney General to ascertain whether there are any offences committed under the Money Laundering Act. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)