Former Minister of Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development Jagath Pushpakumara had informed that he could not arrive before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry through an e-mail.

The former minister was summoned before Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources, and Privileges (PRECIFAC) today to enquire regarding an incident of alleged fraud of over 50 million rupees.

Pushpakumara was accused of allegedly misusing over 50 million rupees of the Coconut Development Board to buy and develop a state land, acquired under his wife’s name.

The former minister had informed the PRECIFAC that he would be unable to arrive before the commission due to an illness.