They did the bathing, combing, giving food and medicine and practicing to obey orders for the golden retrievers, imported from the US and India and worth Rs. 700,000 and Rs. 200,000 respectively.

They had been accustomed to cold climate and were kept in an air-conditioned room in Basil’s home.

Basil and his family also had 58 more male and female Navy personnel for their personal comfort - working as transport assistants (12), food assistants/cooks (11), domestic assistants (26), medical assistants (four), physiotherapy assistants (two) and three female personnel as personal assistants to Pushpa Rajapaksa.

As per documents of the defence ministry and state expense management documents issued by the then president Mahinda Rajapaksa, a cabinet minister was entitled to seven bodyguards.

However, by 01 January 2015, Basil had 20 Navy and 72 Army personnel as his personal bodyguards.

From 10 January 2010 to 10 January 2015, his security detail had had 64 Navy, 84 Army and seven police personal.

Based on these, the presidential commission of inquiry into serious acts of corruption is investigating Basil on charges of abuse of state funds, property, resources and privileges and using authority to engage in corruption.

The then finance secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundara is to be summoned before the commission for having aided in these wrongs.

(Ravaya)