Probe begins into malpractice in 13 public enterprises

Rasika Somarathna

COLOMBO: The Investigation arm of the Bribery Commission has commenced its preliminary investigations regarding allegations of malpractice in 13 Public enterprises, mentioned in the COPE report, with its Legal Unit perusing the files.

Describing the task as unprecedented, the head of the investigation unit, Director Neville Guruge told the Daily News that a mechanism to go deep into investigations would only be finalised after perusing all the files.

The Director who refused to elaborate on a specific time span regarding the preliminary investigations said it was a pain staking process as the legal eagles had to go through a lot of paper work before finalising the investigation agenda. Guruge said preliminary investigations were continuing smoothly without any threat or intimidation.

The 13 public enterprises mentioned in the COPE report are Bank of Ceylon, CEB, Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, CPC, Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, Sri Jayawardenepura Hospital, BoI, National Water Supply and Drainage Board, National Lotteries Board, SLPA, Land Reforms Commission, Public enterprises Reform Commission and People’s Bank.