The Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington has been ordered to investigate an allegation that Rs. 27 million had been spent for a person living at the residence meant for Lankan Consul General at Los Angeles while that position was vacant.
In accordance with instructions issued by Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera two top officials of the Lankan Embassy in Washington would leave for Los Angeles the following week to conduct the probe, ministry sources said.
Foreign Minister Samaraweera on Wednesday told Parliament that former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s son had occupied the residence of Lankan Consul General.
Foreign Ministry had paid over Rs 27.6 million as rent, local and foreign call charges, internet charges, water bills, satellite TV facilities, garbage disposal and security of the Consul General’s residence used by Defence Secretary’s son who was not a diplomat, Parliament was told.
JVP MP Sunil Handunnetti on Wednesday asked the government to appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee to investigate those irregularities.
Thereafter, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the government would appoint a PSC with special powers to probe the frauds and corruption that had taken place at the Foreign Ministry under the previous regime.
