MR’s name was used following directive from PDD - Govt. Printer

The decision to issue the controversial gazette on a bond auction with the name of the former President was taken following a directive from the Public Debt Department (PDD), the Govt. Printer has apprised the Commission of Inquiry.

This was mentioned as Govt. Printer G.K.D. Liyanage was summoned before the CoI to provide a statement on Monday.

The statement was recorded to resolve the issue that has erupted regarding the date of the specific gazette notification issued under the present government on the Treasury bonds.

The Govt. Printer has made the observation when Additional Solicitor General Yasantha Kodagoda had questioned her in this regard.

While referring to the extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 1895/19 with respect of the bond auction scheduled on 27, February 2015, she has stated that the gazette was issued on January 1, 2015.

She has further stated that contents regarding the gazette were however provided by N.G.Y.C. Weerasinghe of the PDD in written on 18 November, 2016. The PDD had then informed to go ahead with the name of the former President since 1 January, 2015 was previously selected as its date, Liyanage has said.

The Ministry of Finance on Sunday alleged that the Central Bank, during the previous government has issued all Treasury bonds in violation of the provisions of the Registered Stock and Securities Ordinance.