Mahinda appoints committee to investigate Sajith’s ministerial work

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has appointed a three member committee to investigate the manner in which funds belonging to the Central Cultural Fund had been utilised between 2016 to 2019.

The committee comprises of former High Court Judge Gamini Sarath Edirisinghe, Gotabhaya Jayaratne and Hariguptha Rohanadheera.


The Secretary of the Buddha Sasana, Cultural and Religious Affairs Ministry Bandula Harischandra had been instructed to provide the facilities for this committee to conduct this investigation.

The Central Cultural Fund had operated for some time under Dr. Wijayadasa Rajapakshe and under current Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.

Currently, Sajith Premadasa is facing allegations of having released Rs. 3600 million from the Central Cultural Fund for propaganda activities targeting the presidential election, without the approval of the control board.

Former Cultural Minister, Kurunegala UPFA MP T.B. Ekanayake had raised this question in parliament on 04thSeptember.

However, according to Central Cultural Fund internal sources, as Wijayadasa Rajapakshe is now supporting the government, this investigation would be conducted targeting Sajith Premadasa.

After the change of government, all ministries that were under Sajith Premadasa during the UNP regime is now under Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.