Presidential Commission of Inquiry issues summons to Education Minister

Presidential Commission of Inquiry issues summons to Education Minister

June 25, 2019   09:11 am

Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam has been issued summons to appear before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry probe corruption and malpractices in the government, to testify over a complaint filed against him for allegedly misappropriating state funds during printing school textbooks.

A member of the commission stated the Education Minister is due to testify on the 8th of June.

In addition, Minister Kariyawasam has also been issued a notice to appear before the police unit of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry at 9.30 a.m. on the 1st of July.

It is reported that the former Commissioner General of Educational Publication I.M.K.B. Illangasinghe had yesterday (24) testified before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry regarding the said complaint.

Mr Illangasinghe has told the commission that the Education Minister contacted him personally to instruct him on publishing a statement followed by the minister’s signature and photograph in all school textbooks.

Minister Kariyawasam has said the relevant publication is aimed at gaining the popularity that he requires for a long successful political journey, Mr Illangasinghe further told the commission.

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry said it was revealed yesterday that additional Rs 4 was spent per textbook to print the Education Minister’s statement and photograph and that Rs 40 million was spent for printing school textbooks during the past few years.

Disclaimer: All the comments will be moderated by the AD editorial. Abstain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or slanderous. Please avoid outside hyperlinks inside the comment and avoid typing all capitalized comments. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by flagging them(mouse over a comment and click the flag icon on the right side). Do use these forums to voice your opinions and create healthy discourse.

Most Viewed Video Stories

Plans underway to remove illegal constructions threatening Sigiriya – Archeology DG (English)

Plans underway to remove illegal constructions threatening Sigiriya – Archeology DG (English)

Govt appoints committee to tackle plastic pollution (English)

Customs records over Rs. 1 Trillion in revenue in first six months of 2025 (English)

One person killed, Mangala's former private secretary injured in shooting at Kandana

🔴LIVE | Ada Derana Prime Time News Bulletin | 2025.07.03

Elon Musk's Starlink launches satellite internet in Sri Lanka (English)

Sri Lanka to receive 5th IMF tranche following 4th review approval (English)

Foreign university scholarships for A/L top achievers (English)