The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe

¶ 01 Furthermore, with regard to this matter, the Human Resources Division has commenced an internal disciplinary inquiry against the relevant officers and it is presently ongoing. (It has not been concluded.)

¶ 02 (iv) In the case filed and heard before the Welisara Magistrate’s Court, the accused parties have been named as:

¶ 03 - Bowsers General Manager (Finance) Susiri Priyantha Perera - Bowsers General Manager (Supplies) Chamila Jayanthi Asuramanna - Senior Manager (Supplies) Ranasinha Sirinimal Fernando - Manager (Supplies) Henagoda Withanachchi Sameera Eranjith - Stores Board Member – Wikramasekara Nuwan Lakmal

¶ 04 In addition, based on the Ministry’s intervention, during the preliminary investigation, statements were recorded from a large number of officials connected to the institution. As the Attorney General’s Department is currently taking necessary steps to file an indictment in the High Court, it is not possible at this stage to confirm precisely which individuals are definitively linked to the fraud.

¶ 05 Moreover, it is evident from institutional correspondence that, as outside parties related to this incident, officials of Sonal Brothers (Pvt) Ltd., who purchased the white onions, have also been named as suspects in the judicial proceedings. (To confirm this, a copy of the case diary note of case No. B 2909/2 tried at the Welisara Magistrate’s Court is annexed as Annex 03.)

¶ 06 (7) At that time, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority released to Lanka Sathosa approximately 56,000 kg of white onions stored in two containers, at a price of Rs. 105.00 per kg, and Lanka Sathosa sold the stock in bulk to an external supplier at Rs. 135.00 per kg.

¶ 07 Accordingly, after allowing for dryage, 54,860 kg were priced at Rs. 135.00 per kg, generating total revenue of Rs. 7,401,600.00 (about Rs. 7.4 million), as per the documents available at that time.

¶ 08 However, the computer systems then in use showed the prevailing market value of white onions as Rs. 355.00 per kg. Therefore, the Criminal Investigation Department has reported a complaint stating that the state lost potential income by selling the consignment at Rs. 135.00 instead of the market price of Rs. 355.00 per kg.

¶ 09 (vi) Based on the preliminary inquiry, all those institutionally involved have been subjected to appropriate disciplinary measures. In addition, judicial proceedings are underway, and at present no officer implicated in the matter is serving in the institution. Further, once the Attorney General’s Department files the relevant matters in the High Court, we will take the necessary steps depending on the Court’s decision.

¶ 10 (ā) Not applicable.