SHIRANTHI HELPED US: SIRILIYA BENEFICIARIES

A group of women and their children yesterday urged the authorities to release the “Siriliya Saviya” bank account that has been suspended in view of the ongoing investigations into allegations of financial irregularities.

These women told a media briefing at the National Library and Documentation Services Board that their children had received donations from the Siriliya Saviya organisation headed by former first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa and that they were shocked and disappointed when she was summoned to the Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID). “We know how she helped our children when they were seriously ill. In my case, my daughter who is seated next to me had to undergo brain surgery. The financial relief given to me by Ms. Rajapaksa helped my daughter to undergo surgery. She was a mother to every child,” Nishanthi Manoja a resident of Ratmalana said wiping her tears.

She said her daughter’s treatment had come to a

We know how she helped our children when they were seriously ill. In my case, my daughter who is seated next to me had to undergo brain surgery.The financial relief given to me by Ms. Rajapaksa helped my daughter to undergo surgery. She was a mother to every child,

standstill because of the ongoing investigations and to make matters worse her daughter had been recommended to undergo another brain surgery.

Ms. Manoja said a child who was receiving Siriliya funds had died recently because Ms. Rajapaksa was unable to provide any more funds because the bank account had been temporarily blocked.

Another woman with three little kids said they had been outside the FCID since the morning to protest the summoning of Ms. Rakjapaksa. However, when journalists asked the women how they were brought to the place where they were holding a media briefing, they were unwilling reveal any details about those who co-ordinated their movements.

“I don’t know them by name. We can identify them by sight. We asked them to give us an opportunity to speak to the media. That’s how we came here,” Ms. Manoja said.

Police Spokesperson ASP Ruwan Gunesekera said the statement was recorded from the former first lady at a different location after demonstrators gathered outside the FCID.