Former Speaker and Deputy Speaker Reject Allegations

30-Aug-2026

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Former Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and former Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakshe have categorically rejected the allegations contained in a special audit report concerning fuel and vehicle usage during the Eighth and Ninth Parliaments.

They called for a formal investigation into the allegations and said they were prepared to cooperate with any inquiry.

Commenting on the matter, former Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that although the allegations had emerged about one-and-a-half years ago, the Government had so far failed to conduct an investigation or take legal action.

He pointed out that the audit report had presented the fuel usage of all vehicles together, without separately specifying the fuel consumption of the five vehicles allocated to the Speaker and the bulletproof vehicle.

He also said that fuel for the police security vehicle had been obtained through Parliament and maintained that he had not committed any irregularities.

Meanwhile, former Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakshe said all expenditure had been incurred in accordance with the law and that parliamentary officials had followed the proper procedures.

He said he did not accept the findings of the audit report and alleged that an attempt was being made to create a false perception in society by targeting him and the former Speaker.