Ranjan calls for Political funds to be audited

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake speaking in Parliament commented on the New York Times expose'. Speaking on the Hambantota port the Deputy Minister noted that according to the Audit of the port it was constructed at a cost of 1,320mn US Dollars. Ramanayake noted that the bid put forward by the construction company was 720mn US Dollars. Ramanayke questioned where the balance money went to and called for an audit investigation. Elaborating on the contents of the New York time article the Deputy Minister stated that the article reports that 7.6mn US dollars was given to Mahinda Rajapaksa while 38,000 US dollars was given to Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thero. He added that 18 Million rupees were given to the Pushpa Rajapaksa Foundation which belong to the wife of Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa and that it has come from the Chinese Companies. He questioned why China would provide such funds to Pushpa Rajapaksa. He stated that in order to understand all this an audit should be held. Ramanayake noted that he had spoken with the Auditor General and that he had informed the Deputy Minister that is Parliaments grants him the powers to investigate such a matter he is duty bound to conduct it. Being a member of the UNP, Ramanayake questioned why funds of political parties are not being audited. He noted that the world's most fraudulent activities take place in the funds of Political Parties.