CoPE to refer Special Audit reports on UL to AG Dept

The Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (CoPE) today unanimously decided to refer two reports of Special Audits over Airbus deal to the Attorney General (AG) department for further legal action. 

The two special audit reports, carried out by the Auditor General Department were over alleged financial irregularities and corrupt practices that were said to have taken place during purchasing of air planes from Airbus to the fleet of Sri Lankan airlines. 

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and senior officials of Sri Lankan airlines were present before CoPE committee today in Parliament following a summon issued to them. Chairman of Sri Lankan airlines Ashok Pathirage told the Committee that an internal inquiry also launched over alleged corrupt Airbus deal in addition to the management lodged a complaint to the Commission to Investigate Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). 

Earlier SriLankan Airlines officials had submitted a written request to provide them with more time to further study the airbus matter as they were newly-appointed officials but CoPE members had turned down the request, asking them to present themselves on 19 February.