Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa slammed the actions of police Financial Crimes Investigations Division, describing it as “an extension of the UNP”.

Releasing a statement to the media this afternoon, Rajapaksa said that “FCID has filed a B report informing the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court that they have begun investigations into a complaint that a sum totalling USD 48 million invested in the Steel Corporation and a sum of USD 190 million invested in the Marion hotel in Dubai  actually  belongs  to  me  and  that  the  owner  of  these  properties  Nandana  Lokuvithana  is only  a  front  man.”

Pointing out that the FCID has begun the investigations based on an anonymous letter, Rajapaksa said that “it is very unusual for the police to report to courts that they are carrying out an investigation on the basis of an anonymous letter”.

“With a parliamentary election in the offing, it would be  useful  for  my opponents  to  spread  such  a  perception  among  the  public.  This is yet another clever and insidious way of carrying out false propaganda against me” Rajapaksa added further.

In conclusion Rajapaksa said that “I wish to inform the public that the Steel Corporation and the Dubai Marion hotel belong to whoever owns them and not to me.”