The PM is accused of mishandling tsunami relief aid

A bench headed by Chief Justice Sarath Silva ordered Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to temporarily halt the investigation after considering a petition by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse.

CJ Sarath Nanda Silva strongly criticised the police for initiating an “informal” investigation based upon newspaper reports.

PM Rajapakse had to seek help from the courts, the CJ said, to protect his human rights due to actions by the police.

'Acting in arbitrary manner'

He also accused the CID of “acting in an arbitrary manner” by questioning “a senior civil servant like PM’s secretary Lalith Weeratunga” for more than five hours.

Supreme Court postponed the hearing on Rajapakse’s Fundamental Rights Petition to 17 January, 2006.

	CJ Sarath Silva heavily criticised the police investigation

A lawyer representing PM Rajapakse said the CID has begun the investigations based upon reports in Sunday Leader English weekly and Irudina Sinhala weekly.

He told the courts that the Cabinet of Ministers were informed of the monies in ‘Helping Hambantota’ fund, which is monitored by Secretary to the PM, Lalith Weeratunga.

Media reports

The Police have been earlier granted permission by the courts to inquire into 'Helping Hambantota' bank accounts set up to help tsunami victims.

The "Helping Hambantota" fund was set up to help the constituency from which Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa hails.

Acting magistrate Jayanatha Dias Nanayakkara earlier this month allowed the police to investigate three bank accounts of the fund.

The CID sought permission from the courts to investigate the accounts alleging that there was a breach of trust concerning nearly 83 million Sri Lankan rupees (approx 820,000 US dollars).

Sri Lankan media had alleged that money sent by international donors to the Prime Minister's national relief fund was credited to the privately run "Helping Hambantota" fund.