PRECIFAC probes setting up of Int’l Arbitration Centre

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources, and Privileges (PRECIFAC) will commence probing into misusing of billions of rupees in establishing the International Arbitration Centre by the Ministry of Justice under the previous regime.

The PRECIFAC sources told the Daily FT that following a complaint lodged at the Commission against misusing public money in setting up the International Arbitration Centre at the World Trade Centre, the PRECIFAC will start questioning the officials involved in the allegation, from today.

“A prominent female personality in the country is to be questioned over this allegation,” he said, adding that the authorities had paid over Rs. 2 million monthly as the rental of the Centre.

The PRECIFAC functions under the High Court Judges Padman Surasena, Amendra Seneviratna, Vikum Kaluarachchi, Gihan Kulatunga and former Auditor General B.A. Premathilake.

The former Chief of Operations of the Lanka Handicraft Board (Laksala) was questioned over the allegation over purchasing of furniture worth several millions of rupees for the Centre. (SS)