Rajapaksa petitioned to the Supreme Court to halt the probe

Chief Justice Sarath Nanda Silva said the police seem to have worked under political influence as there was no written evidence against the then Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The CJ said President Rajapaksa had to seek legal assistance due to “inappropriate” action by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The Chief Justice made these observations when a petition by Mahinda Rajapaksa against the probe by the CID was taken into consideration.

Tsunami funds

The Sri Lanka Police have been earleir 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 President Rajapaksa hails.

	CJ says police has begun the probe on 'misleading and baseless' allegations

The Criminal Investigation Department 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.

UNP complaint

Rajapaksa told the parliament that the cabinet was aware of the existence of the private fund.

Deputy Solicitor General Palitha Fernando, representing the Attorney General, said the CID was directed to initiate an investigation after a complaint made by United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian Kabir Hashem.

DS Wijesinghe, PC, representing President Rajapaksa, pointed out that the police had no legal authority to investigate the alleged fraud as the parliamentarian has failed to present any written evidence.

He accused the CID of making special favours to the UNP MP by starting an investigation into a “baseless” allegation.

The CJ then accused the CID of initiating the probe based upon a “misleading” complaint.

The Supreme Court indefinitely postponed the ruling on the petition.