Allegations against Tiran brought up in Parliament

Uditha KUMARASINGHE, Irangika RANGE and Sandasen MARASINGHE

Chief Government Whip Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle yesterday told Parliament that the Bribery Commission should be moved to investigate the circumstances under which Rs. 125 million was granted to the Jaya Lanka Housing Project under the Chairmanship of Tiran Alles.

The Minister was responding to an oral question raised by the JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The MP said the houses in question have been constructed in the uncleared areas. The contract for the construction of these houses has been given through Tiran Alles to a person who has close links with the LTTE.

“Alles has conducted all the discussions with this company which has been given the contract to construct these houses. A certain fraud had taken place on this deal. Therefore, steps should be taken to look into this matter,” he said.

The Minister said as these houses have been constructed in uncleared areas, there was no way to conduct any inquiry regarding this. A question has arisen whether these houses have been constructed or not. Fernandopulle said a Cabinet paper has also been presented on this housing project.

The entire housing project has been estimated to cost Rs. 757 million. Out of this amount, Rs. 125 million has been released to the housing project. The Minister said information has been received that the contractor who obtained this money is not even in the country now. The Government will take necessary steps on this matter beginning from today.

The Minister also thanked the MP for bringing this matter to the notice of the House.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake said according to the information received, not even a single house had been constructed by this housing project.

This is a serious financial fraud. “There is a doubt whether this Rs. 125 million has gone to the hands of the LTTE,” he said.