Namal Johnston CIABOC summons relate to the Airbus investigation and an alleged Rs. 7.4 million procurement irregularity involving theatre chairs.
Namal Johnston CIABOC summons have placed two senior Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna figures before the anti-corruption commission today, September 4, over separate investigations.
Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa and former Minister Johnston Fernando have been summoned by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption to provide statements.
Rajapaksa, the National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, has been called regarding an investigation connected to the controversial Airbus deal.
Responding to the summons, Rajapaksa claimed the government was attempting to arrest and imprison him before a major protest rally scheduled in Anuradhapura on September 12.
He also alleged that the government was panicking and attempting to suppress the opposition through repression.
Rajapaksa said such actions would not stop his political journey.
Meanwhile, Johnston Fernando has been summoned over a separate investigation involving the purchase of chairs worth Rs. 7.4 million for the Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre in Polgolla, Kandy.
The allegation concerns an alleged loss to the government caused by bypassing the proper procurement procedure.
The investigation relates to the purchase of the chairs through another individual despite a tender process having been called by the Ministry.
The transaction occurred in 2012, when Fernando served as Minister of Cooperatives and Internal Trade.
The Commission has also recorded a statement from the Ministry Secretary who held office at the time in connection with the investigation.
The Namal Johnston CIABOC appearances therefore relate to two distinct matters, with Rajapaksa being questioned over the Airbus investigation and Fernando over the alleged procurement irregularities involving the theatre chairs.
