Army corporal paid Mahinda’s helicopter bill

From SL Mirror

A corporal in the Army has paid Rs. 17.5 million in lieu of the helicopter ride bill of the former president and his family members during the last presidential election, says the Air Force.

This came to light during an inquiry by the Human Rights Commission into a complaint by the Transparency International – Sri Lanka branch regarding Mahinda Rajapaksa’s use of AF helicopters and planes for his electioneering.

Participating in the inquiry were the elections commissioner, two AF officers and several other officers, said TISL communication director Shan Wijetunga.

When the elections chief and the HRC inquired as to how a military officer could pay the bill in question, it transpired that a request had been made to issue the receipt to the name of the SLFP, said Wijetunga.

The HRC has asked the AF commander to furnish a detailed report in this regard.

For 55 helicopter rides by the Rajapaksa family, including 23 by MP Namal Rajapaksa, Rs. more than Rs. 09 m still remains unsettled.

Basil asked for the helicopters

The inquiry was also told that Basil Rajapaksa has been informed to pay the bill as it was his economic development ministry that had askeds for the helicopters.

Recently, MP Wimal Weerawansa said the UPFA should pay the bill, as the helicopters were obtained through MP Susil Premajayantha, the UPFA general secretary.

Premajayantha has told the media that it was not the UPFA’s responsibility to pay the bill, BBC Sandeshaya reports.