The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna
The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna raised concerns over alleged large-scale fraud in sand mining and sales by CPL, despite recorded tender-based sand income of Rs. 132.8 million from 2021 to 2023. He cited audit findings and inquiries indicating a Rs. 746.6 million loss at Mukkutoduwawa and a further estimated Rs. 400 million loss from unauthorized excess mining at Palai estate. He stated that investigations are ongoing and alleged involvement of prominent politicians and contractors.
Verbatim record (translated)
Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, multiple audits and ongoing inquiries show CPL decided to mine and sell sand via tenders and contractors:
¶ 02 - 2021 sand sales income: Rs. 47.2 million - 2022: Rs. 61.2 million - 2023: Rs. 24.1 million Total: Rs. 132.8 million
¶ 03 However, auditors indicate a major fraud. Our recent probe at Mukkutoduwawa shows a loss to the State/CPL of Rs. 746.6 million from sand mining there—an amount comparable to CPL’s entire 2023 coconut estate income (Rs. 756 million). Another investigation at Palai estate suggests excess, unauthorized mining with an estimated loss around Rs. 400 million, reportedly involving two prominent politicians and several contractors. Investigations are ongoing.
Provenance
- Source
- Hansard, Tuesday, 21 January 2025 ·No. 1737707091008005 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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/lk/speeches/27187
Cite as: The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 21 January 2025. No. 1737707091008005. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/27187