-By A Special Correspondent
(Lanka-e-News -21.March.2025, 11.30 PM) Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe revealed in Parliament today (21) that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has been requested to conduct an investigation into two allegedly fraudulent land transactions involving former President’s wife, Shiranthi Rajapaksa.
The Deputy Minister highlighted that the site where the "Naganananda International Buddhist Meditation Training Center" signboard is placed, covering several acres of land in Imbulgoda, Gampaha, has not been reported to conduct any religious activities. He further stated that this land was acquired and expanded using presidential office officials during Mahinda Rajapaksa’s tenure.
Jayasinghe attempted to visit the location with a group but was denied entry. Later, he investigated the matter and disclosed more details in Parliament today.
He confirmed that the land in question does not belong to a temple:
"This land is owned by the Mahinda Rajapaksa Spiritual Foundation. Some plots were purchased for Rs. 500,000 and later sold for Rs. 10 million. Many of these plots were owned by Shiranthi Wickramasinghe Rajapaksa, a resident of Carlton House in Tangalle. Another land in the High Imbulgoda area was purchased for Rs. 1 million and later sold for Rs. 12 million."
The Deputy Minister stated:
"I have requested the CID to conduct an investigation into these land transactions."
Additionally, he refuted media reports regarding his visit to a land in Kelaniya, claiming they were misreported.
Jayasinghe revealed that:
On March 12, 2012, a large number of lands were acquired, including one in High Imbulgoda, previously owned by K.D. Parakrama Yagoda. This land was transferred to the Homagama Diyagama Mahinda Rajapaksa Sports and Spiritual Development Foundation.
A land bought for Rs. 500,000 was later sold for Rs. 10 million.
On March 2, 2012, additional lands were acquired, including a plot in High Imbulgoda owned by three residents at No. 317. This was later transferred to Shiranthi Wickramasinghe Rajapaksa, a resident of No. 19 Carlton House, Tangalle.
Another land in the North Makola Road area was initially owned by a resident there but was later acquired by Shiranthi Rajapaksa.
The Deputy Minister stated that the national ID number of Shiranthi Rajapaksa is recorded as 535253314V in documents.
"Mr. Speaker, I have all the documents here as proof. None of these lands are registered under a temple or a Buddhist monk."
Jayasinghe further disclosed:
On October 10, 2023, all these lands were transferred again.
The documents show that they were transferred to Amila Samararatne Kodikara, a resident of No. 132A, S.D.S. Jayasinghe Mawatha, Nugegoda.
His national ID number is recorded as 900226035V.
The lands, originally bought for Rs. 500,000 and Rs. 1 million, were later sold for Rs. 12 million and Rs. 120 million respectively.
The Deputy Minister questioned how such a large amount of money was generated from these transactions and stated that the local residents had faced severe difficulties due to these land acquisitions.
He alleged that some of the documents were signed at the Presidential Secretariat in Temple Trees, further casting suspicion on the legality of the transactions.
"We have no intention of interfering with temple lands. However, these documents clearly show that none of these lands belonged to a temple or a Buddhist monk. The 'Buddhist Meditation Center' signboard is merely a deception."
Jayasinghe emphasized that his intention was to reveal the truth to the public. He has formally requested the CID to conduct an investigation into these transactions.
-By A Special Correspondent
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by (2025-03-21 20:14:43)
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