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CIABOC, AG’s Dept to file action against those named in PRECIFAC report
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and the Attorney General’s (AG) Department are to file legal action against persons named in 34 cases into which investigations were completed by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate and inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC).
The PRECIFAC report was presented to Parliament last month. Among those against whom the Commission has recommended action for charges such as corruption, abuse of power and violations of financial laws, include former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and officials of the former regime.
Following are highlights of the Commission’s findings:
Rs 11.47 million allocated for the Negombo Lagoon’s Development, was used for election propaganda activities of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, namely for rally in Negombo by former Deputy Fisheries Minister Sarath Gunaratne and several others. The Commission says that several persons have abused their power by using these funds for political activities and action must be taken against them.
The Commission concluded that the former President and 3 former officials of ITN are guilty of causing the State TV channel a loss of Rs 102,158,058 by directing it to telecast his advertisements free of charge, during the presidential election. It also said that, ITN suffered losses of Rs 112,904,638, as the station refused to run commercials of the then candidate in the presidential election, Maithripala Sirisena.
The Commission also found breach of the laws in the running of the Rakna Lanka security firm, as well as the operation of the floating armoury by Avante Garde. In this connection, it recommended that criminal charges be filed against Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Avant Garde owner Nissanka Senadhipathi among others, for causing losses to the State and acting in breach of the laws. The Commission has also recommended that retired senior military officers not hold any public office in future.
Action has also been recommended against former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa for misuse of State funds, assets and other benefits.
Further action recommended to investigate the payment of Rs 260 million, under the President’s Office, by Namal Rajapaksa and Yoshitha Rajapaksa.
The Commission recommended legal action against former Minister of Aviation Priyankara Jayaratne and former Chairman of SriLankan Airlines, Nishantha Wickremesinghe, and some of the Airlines’ senior officials, and recommends the removal of their civic rights, while barring them from holding public office in the future.
Lease of Nawalapitiya Railway Station-owned land to Mahindananda Foundation. The Commission has submitted all documents to the Bribery Commission, and as per its investigations, legal action to be taken against relevant parties. General Superintendent of Railways directed to take immediate action to restore ownership of the land to the State, under the State Lands (Recovery of Possession) Act
Submitting forged Documents of Accounts for Year 2013 pertaining to the Ampara Deyata Kirula Programme. The Commission recommended legal action taken against all Parties as per Acts of “Corruption” under the Bribery Act. Commission had submitted all Documents to the Bribery Commission.