PRECIFAC hands over three final reports to President

Thursday, 20 April 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shanika Sriyananda

The anti-corruption commission yesterday handed over three final reports of its investigations into fraud, corruption, the misuse of state funds and abuse of power to President Maithripala Sirisena.

The three final reports are on financial irregularities with state funds used for the opening of the Hambantota Port, the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and Road Development Authority (RDA). They were handed over to President Sirisena by PRECIFAC Chairman, Appeal Court Judge Padman Surasena, yesterday at the President Secretariat.

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power (PRECIFAC) had prepared these reports after hearing the testimony of several top officials of the previous Government.

Following the initial Police investigations which revealed that a loss of Rs. 138 million was incurred by the Government by having two ceremonies – a water filling ceremony and the opening of the Magampura Port in 2010 - former minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena, former Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrama, famous actor Jackson Anthony, choreographers Channa and Upuli Wijewardene and certain actresses testified at PRECIFAC’s public hearings for the misuse of the state funds of the SLPA.

Of the total estimated cost of $ 361 million for the first phase, the Exim Bank of China had funded 85% of the port project. It was ceremonially opened by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on 18 November 2010.

The second report handed over to the President was on financial irregularities with state funds in paying salaries and allowances as well as illegal recruitment practised at the SLTB.

The final investigation was on the misuse of state funds at the RDA, where a Land Cruiser Jeep was purchased for the value of Rs. 32 million. This was included in the third report.

According to sources, PRECIFAC’s mandate ended after it handed over its final reports to the President and the final decision to bring the culprits before the law is vested with President Sirisena.