Allegations of misuse of Civil Security Funds:

Mangala's charges debunked

Shirley WIJESINGHE and Disna MUDALIGE

Civil Security Department Director General Rear Admiral Sarath P. Weerasekara yesterday denied allegations made by Mangala Samaraweera, Co-Media Spokesman for Sarath Fonseka that over Rs 1,500 million belonging to the Commandant Fund of the members of Civil Security Force were being misused by the Government for President Mahinda Rajapaksa's election campaign.

"If Mangala Samaraweera could prove that even Rs 150 of the Fund has been misused, I will resign from my post and if it is false, he (Samaraweera) should withdraw the statement or legal action will be taken against him," Rear Admiral Weerasekera stressed.

He said the statement is utterly fabricated to tarnish President Mahinda Rajapaksa's image during his election campaign with the aim of achieving cheap publicity for his main opponent.

He said Samaraweera's statement was grossly misleading and deliberately made to cause disaffection among the 41,000 members of Civil Security Department towards the Government and to tarnish his reputation.

The recruits of Civil Security Department are today enjoying similar benefits as the Police Department by providing uniform, weapons and payment.

Their family members are also benefited. Samaraweera has been misled by some false information eyeing their votes, he explained.

Responding to a question by a journalist, he said the Department's monthly contribution to the Commandant Fund is Rs 10 and Home Guard Beneficial Fund Rs 250.

The funds collected to the Home Beneficial Guard fund is Rs 70 million to date and this money is placed in a fixed deposit.

Interest obtained on this sum is spent on the welfare of the members. Both funds are audited by an officer of the Auditor General's Department, he said.