Presidential Commission on VAT scam:

Former Dy. Commissioner pleads not guilty

Former Senior Deputy Commissioner, Inland Revenue Department, Ananda Wickremasinghe Ambepitiya wept and pleaded his innocence giving evidence before the Presidential Commission inquiring into VAT scam resumed its proceedings.

The Commission comprised retired High Court Judge, N. Paranagama (President), S.M. Senaratne, H.M. Fernando and S.M. Samarakoon. State Counsel C. Totawatte led evidence.

Ambepitiya said he suffered character assassination and damage to his image as a public servant due to the VAT scam.

"My children's education has also suffered and in the VAT scam investigation the Attorney General and the CID has acted without any sense of understanding. The Department has so far not held any inquiry and levelled charges against me. This is a serious damage caused to a public servant," he charged. As there is a case pending in the High Court, he said he expected to be represented by a lawyer, he told the Commission.

Ambepitiya is in remand custody for the last two years in connection with the VAT scam case. The Commission advised him to appear before it on October 30.