Mangala goes to Bribery Commission against Ranil :

Alleges Rs.340 million fraud in computer deal
 

by Sithara Senani

Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Mangala Samaraweera lodged a complaint with the Bribery or Corruption Investigation Commission against Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday (12) alleging that Ranil Wickremesinghe while being the Prime Minister in 2003 committed a fraud involving Rs. 340 million in connection with a transaction to supply 39 computers with necessary appliances for the use of the Prime Minister's Office.

After handing over the complaint, Minister Mangala Samaraweera explained that Ranil Wickremesinghe has paid Rs.175 million to Advance Technologies Institute of Galle Road, Colombo 03, which was a State Sector Management and Reconstruction Unit under his Ministry for the purchase of 39 Computers and appliances and paid Rs.165 million to Tata Consultancy Services Institute for the same purpose.

He said that the former Prime Minister's Advisor R. Paskaralingam was a party to this transaction. Minister Samaraweera in his complaint urged the Commission to conduct a formal inquiry in to this transaction and take legal action against the offenders.

Sports and Youth Affairs Deputy Minister Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi, JVP MP Wimal Weerawansa and President's Counsel Wijayadasa Rajapakse were associated with Minister Samaraweera in handing over the complaint.