• Statement sought on discussion post-taking office as Foreign Minister

The Convenor of the People’s Joint Opposition and former Foreign Affairs Minister, Prof G L Peiris stated yesterday (19) that he has been summoned to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) today (20) to record a statement regarding a discussion held at the Foreign Affairs Ministry after he took office after the end of the war in 2009. Prof Peiris further stated that he has been summoned to the CIABOC to provide information by recording the statement for an investigation which is expected to commence soon. 

Prof Peiris made these claims during a media briefing held at former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s political office on Flower Road in Colombo 7 that was convened to brief the media about the alleged unethical political practices of the current Government, highlighting the necessity of releasing the Bodu Bala Sena organisation’s General Secretary, Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera. Prof Peiris also highlighted that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has the Executive power to give a Presidential pardon to Gnanasara. He also stated that the Chief Prelate of the Asgiriya Chapter of the Siam Sect is also of the same stand and emphasised the necessity of releasing him, considering the unity between diverse communities.