Sept 20 (NIA) – Sri Lanka’s former Air Force Chief, Air Marshal Roshan Goonetileke, on Tuesday was questioned by investigators over a controversial military aircraft deal during the previous regime.
An official said that the Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) recorded a statement from Air Marshal Goonetileke over the 2006 MiG deal, under then president Mahinda Rajapakse.
The FCID began investigations into the deal last year after Rajapakse was ousted from power following his defeat in a presidential election.
In July 2006, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), on behalf of Rajapakse’s government had signed an agreement with Ukrainmash, a government subsidiary of Ukraine for the supply of four MiG-27 aircraft at a cost of 2.5 million dollars each as well as for the overhauling of four existing SLAF MiG-27 aircraft at a cost of 4.6 million dollars.
In 2007 it had been alleged that the deal was not the best option and not a government-to-government transaction as the Rajapakse government claimed.
Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse was also questioned by the FCID over the deal last year.
Goonatileke was the Air Force Commander when the MiG-27 fighter jets were purchased from Ukraine.
