SB's assets had not been declared prior to 1995 - IP Chandrapala

by Wasantha Ramanayake

The assets of the former Minister Dissanayake prior to 1995 had not been declared and the relevant space of the document had been kept blank submitted the investigation officer,

Examined by Deputy Director General of the Bribery Commission Mallika Liyanage, IP E. K. Don Chandrapala testified that Dissanayake was paying income tax at the time and his agricultural income during the period was Rs. 1,141,068.

The investigation officer further submitted that in terms of the Bribery Commission report the accused's expenditure during the period had exceeded his income during the period of 1995 to 2001. In terms of the findings of the commission the legally accountable income of the accused had been Rs. 19,336,119 while the expenditure had been of Rs. 48,333,123. According to the Secretary of the Samurdhi Ministry Mrs. Dissanayake had obtained a sum of Rs. 1,82,239 as gratuity and had obtained so far a sum of Rs. 351,425 as the pension.

IP Don Chandrapala submitted that the accused had obtained a sum of Rs. 894,143 as dividends from his sharemarket investments. According to the accused he had obtained one million rupees from one of his sister Manel Dissanayake for his election campaign in 1999 and had spent earnings from his salary for the foreign tours.

The investigation officer answering a query put forward by defence Counsel Ananda Wijesekera PC stated that the accused should explain as to how the accused had acquired a sum of Rs. 28,597,003.

IP Chandrapala submitted that he had recorded a statement from the architect who designed the Hanguranketha House and also obtained a plan of the same. He submitted that the house had been built during 1997-2000. In terms of the version of the accused it had been built at a cost of Rs. 20,344,800. The accused had bought a car worth of US$ 26,500 on his permit in 1997. The investigation officer further testified that the accused had incurred 1.2 million rupees for repairs at his house at Jambugasmulla. Mrs. Dissanayake had bought a car for Rs. 644,330 with her permit and later sold it for a sum of Rs. 1.2 million.

Deputy Director General of the Bribery Commission Mallika Liyanage with Assistant Directors (legal) Lasanthi Wijewardane and Asitha Anthony prosecuted.

President's Counsel Ananda Wijesekera with Dulinda Weerasooriya and Niroshan Perera appeared for the accused.

The trial resumes today.