An exchange of words ensued between Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa in Parliament yesterday over the PRECIFAC case relating to the ITN.
Minister Samaraweera, referring to the PRECIFAC final report, said that it had held former President Rajapaksa and several others responsible for a loss of Rs 102 million to ITN during the 2015 Presidential Elections.
Opposition Leader Rajapaksa replying to Samaraweera said that those who gave evidence during that case were of the view that the ITN should make a payment to him.
“I don’t accept the PRECIFAC report as there was a political background to it. However, the witnesses said that the ITN should pay me,” Rajapaksa said.
“You should have said it to the President, as he is now your best friend. This was not our report and we were not involved in its making,” replied Samaraweera. “I said that before and I do so even now,” Rajapaksa said.
“Say it to the President when you meet him next.
I am referring to the content in the report. Look at the injustice done to Common Candidate Sirisena.
The ITN has charged double the amount for Sirisena’s advertisements while telecasting Rajapaksa’s advertisements free. This is not fair. The friends must be treated equally. I propose that we refund the overcharged money to Sirisena,” Samaraweera said.
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