PCOI concludes open inquiry sessions

Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCOI) probing irregularities at Srilankan Airlines, Srilankan Catering and Mihin Lanka yesterday concluded all open inquiry sessions.

It was informed at the Commission that the tenure of the PCOI is to end on May 31 and despite a request for an extension, there had been no favourable response so far.

However, lawyers from AG’S Department will be able to submit affidavits and other supporting documents.

“If there is an extension or further open inquiry sessions, all stakeholders will be informed,” Chairman of the PCOI Anil Gooneratna informed the Commission.

The PCOI had planned to call upon a number of key players of Mihin and Srilankan in the coming weeks, as they had been expecting an extension.

Minister of Power, Energy and Business Development, Ravi Karunanayake and Minister of Highways, Road Development and Petroleum Resources Development, Kabir Hashim was questioned by the CID unit attached to the PCOI in February.

In August last year Defence Secretary and founding Director of Mihin Lanka, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Secretary to former president Rajapaksa, Lalith Weeratunga, former Secretary to the Treasury Dr. P.B. Jayasundara and former CEO of Mihin Lanka, Sajin de Vaas Gunawardena also provided similar statements to the Police Unit which is attached to the Commission.

Also former Chairmen of Srilankan Airlines Ajith Dias, Nishantha Wickramasinghe, former CEO of Srilankan Kapila Chandrasena and former Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the UK and former Director of Srilankan had provided their statements to the Police unit in August last year.

The tenure of the PCOI is to end on May 31 and despite a request for an extension, there had been no favourable response so far

The PCOI had planned to call upon a number of key players of Mihin and Srilankan in the coming weeks, as they had been expecting an extension