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| Friday, 13 February 2004 |
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| Bribery bomb wreaks havoc in UNF by Anura Maitipe Fourteen Ministers of the United National Front Government and six powerful officials are facing allegations of bribery and corruption amounting to billions of rupees. A complaint in this regard was lodged by a group of SLFP members to the Commissioner of Bribery and Corruption, PA spokesman Mangala Samaraweera announced yesterday. The bribery allegations were made against ministers Ravi Karunanayaka, Mahinda Wijesekera, Mahinda Samarasinghe, Rajitha Senaratne, K.N Choksy, Jayalath Jayawardena, John Amaratunga, S.B. Dissanayake, Bandula Gunawardena, M.H. Mohamed, Tilak Marapana, Lakshman Kiriella, A.R.M. Abdul Cader and G.L. Peiris. The officials are Charitha Ratwatte, R. Paskaralingam, Malik Samarawickrema, Lal Nanayakkara, Wickrema Weerasooriya and Sumi Munasinghe. Minister Karunanayake faces charges for allegedly importing 40,000 Metric tonnes of rice and their re-sale to a local businessman at a lower price. Sugar has also been imported and sold in the same manner. In the same period, sugar has been purchased at a higher price by the Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) from the local market. Minister Mahinda Wijesekera faces charges for allegedly selling a Rs.300 million prime land belonging to the State Timber Corporation for Rs 30 million without cabinet approval. Minister Rajitha Senaratne faces charges for allegedly violating the Land Reform Commission Act and the sale of 58 block of lands and getting a commission of Rs.25,000 per acre. The main accusation against Minister Tilak Marapana is appointing a consultancy firm for the reconstruction of the Valachachenai railway track allegedly without following proper government procedures. Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe faces charges for allegedly appointing an insurance agent without consent of the Cabinet. The introduction of a new insurance scheme without obtaining prior approval from the Cabinet and awarding the contract to a Jerusalem Insurance Corporation is another allegation as well as awarding a tender to a private company to construct the centre for Foreign Employment Bureau. Minster Lakshman Kiriella faces charges for allegedly selling State land at Hantana and Mahakanda. A part of this land is alleged to have been bought by his wife for an undervalued price. Minister A.R.M Abdul Cader allegedly faces charges for importing 2000 buses on a duty free basis. Later, taxes have been reimposed and the buses resold to peoplised bus services through a finance company, making a profit of Rs.120 million. Minister K.N Choksy allegedly faces charges for settling a Rs 4.8 billion loan obtained by the Yasodha Group of Companies for Rs. 100 million allegedly with the help of Wickrema Weerasooriya and People's Bank Chairman Lal Nanayakkara. Minister Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena allegedly faces several charges, including awarding a contract to construct the A-9 road for D.V Jayawardana Company Limited belonging to their family members. The main charge against Minister John Amaratunga is allegedly awarding a tender for 75,000 hats for Police Department to a company which bid the highest price for the lowest quality hats while ignoring the bid by Harsha International which quoted the lowest prices for highest quality goods. Another allegation is the import of 400 substandard jeeps for police without a tender procedure. Minister S.B. Dissanayake allegedly faces the charge of depositing Rs.200 million belonging to Samurdhi Authority in Pan Asia Bank illegally. Another allegation is the import of Mahendra Bolero jeeps from India at overvalued prices. Minister Bandula Gunawardane allegedly faces the charge of selling the Bank of Ceylon London branch for a pitiful sum, leading to a loss of Rs.1000 million. The main charge against Minister M.H. Mohamed is the alleged vesting of Galle Face Green in the EAP Group for a small sum without following the tender procedure. |
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