Leaked emails: Probe to begin on President's request to AG

Investigations are due to commence next week at the request of President Maithripala Sirisena to the Attorney General on an international media investigation published last week tying him to possi- ble corruption in the 2009 award of a dam project to an Australian company-- when he was Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Services Development.

The Sunday Times learns that the story was based on leaked emails from the firm.

The story was published this week from an investigation conducted by Fairfax Media, one of

Agrarian Services”.

“The President states that he has no connection whatsoever in such an incident,” the statement said. “He also instructed the Attorney-General to investigate into the matter. President Sirisena emphasizes that during his political career he had never indulged in any form of corruption or malpractice or encouraged or involved in any such activity.”

Australian media quotes an email from an SMEC manager to his principals as saying, “The minister ... wants to know whether SMEC could make a donation for the elections.” The same email also states, “Coordinating Secretary said this is the way it goes prior to signing the cabinet papers. He wants us to produce an amount/percentage on the contract value."

SMEC has confirmed that there was a request for a “political donation”. It has also stated that the money was never paid.

Australian media reproduced other sections of the emails. One quoted the SMEC manager as saying the relevant Sri Lankan minister was also “secretary of the ruling party--a powerful man in the present administration” who may request “something out of the way--funds for the party”.

An email is also reported to have stated: "He said there will be elections in the near future and he wants to know whether SMEC could make a donation for the elections. He detailed me to discuss this with his Co-ordinating Secretary. Co-ordinatingSecretary said this is the way it goes prior to signing the cabinet papers. He wants us to propose an amount/percentage on the contract value. If you could advise me on an amount of percentage based on the financial figures I could inform the minister/Co-ordinating Sec …"