The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption has summoned businessman ASP Liyanage to record a statement over a house he was planning to hand over to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Liyanage has been asked to appear at the commission at 9.30am on January 4.

Shortly after the 2015 Presidential Election, ASP Liyanage told media that he was planning to ‘gift’ the ‘Peacock House’ located at Rajagiriya to the former President. He said that Rajapaksa had asked for a place to stay in Colombo, following his defeat at the Presidential Election. “When a friend asked for a help, I decided to help him” Liyanage told media over his decision to ‘gift’ the house.

Significant changes were done to the house before it was handed over to Rajapaksa. However, Rajapaksa did not occupy the house. Liyanage told media that there pressure from his wife and two daughters that prevented him from entering into the mutual agreement to hand over the house.

Liyanage said that he was scared to dabble in politics anymore.