President appoints commission to probe weapons purchases [May 18, 2006 - 10.00 GMT]

President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed a commission to investigate the procurement of high-value weapons and military equipment during a five-year period (2000-2005) before he assumed office November last year. This is in the wake of allegations the government spent over Rs. 100 million at a time on weapons and other military equipment and services.

The Commission of three Supreme Court judges is headed by Justice Shiranee Tilakawardane and comprises Justices Nissanka Udalagama and Nimal Edward Dissanayake.

Secretary to the Commission Mr. Edmund Jayasuriya told the PRIU the Commission will probe all aspects of purchases including violation of tender procedures and guidelines on such purchases and whether any tenders awarded were cancelled or suspended.

He said the Commission will probe as to whether the Government suffered any loss or damage through faulty procedure methods and if there were any means of recovery of such losses. Also identify any officials or officers responsible for such losses to the government.

Further it will also recommend remedies to shortcomings and flaws found in procedural methods.

The Commission is to submit a report of its findings within three months.

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Last Updated Date: May  18, 2006 -10.00 GMT