So far the investigating team have not found any information with regard to this issue, apart from the two emails.

The Country Manager for an Australian firm SMEC, Wasantha Dissanayake had informed his parent company in Australia via email on July 03, 2009 that he had met with Minister Sirisena and his Coordinating Secretary and that the minister had asked if he could offer help for the upcoming presidential election.

In his second email to the parent company, Dissanayake had informed them that the coordinating secretary had wanted 1% of the project cost.

The Australian website had said that Rs. 2.5 million (Aus $ 27,000) had been paid to the minister, but there was no mention of how the money was paid or to whom it was paid.

So far no further evidence or emails regarding this issue have been uncovered.

Wasantha Dassanayake?

The said Wasantha Dissanayake had been employed by the Australian company SMEC from 2008 to April 2016.

However the emails surfacing after about a month of his exit from the company has raised suspicion.
Although the Australian journalist had contacted President Sirisena for a comment on this issue on August 20, he had failed to respond to the president’s queries as to who the coordinating secretary was and exactly when this incident is supporsed to have taken place.

Further investigations under the purview of the Attorney General

Issuing a statement the Presidential media unit stated that President Maithripala Sirisena had no involvement in this matter. He had also issued instructions to the Attorney General regarding further investigation on this issue.

However, it is leant that the Australian government and the police have commenced an investigation into the allegations. According to the Presidential media unit, if this report is found to be false, the Australian government will mediate in rectifying the report.

Who is Dissanayake?

Dissanayake is a Civil Engineer by profession. He had been employed by SMEC for 8 years and 7 months from February 2008 to April this year.

He is a graduate from the Moratuwa University.