Embezzlement of State funds:

Probe report faults former Minister Sarath Gunaratne

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

Several key politicians are likely to be charged for misappropriation of public funds when the first investigations report by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry probing Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges, is handed over to the Attorney General's Department.

Commission Secretary Lacille de Silva told the Sunday Observer, investigations into allegations of embezzlement of State funds by Former Deputy Minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratne was completed by August 24. State funds were allegedly misused through the Ceylon Fisheries and Harbour Corporation which was under the purview of the Deputy Minister, at the time.

The Commission of Inquiry is currently finalizing its report together with recommendations and observations, de Silva said.

"Based on these recommendations, the Attorney General's Department will have to take appropriate legal action against the deputy Minister and the officials involved with the misuse of state funds," de Silva explained.

Complaints were received about alleged embezzlement of State resources and funds to build a plaque for the Negombo Lagoon Development Program where a staggering Rs. 1.84 million was used for a cement plaque which in actual fact had cost only Rs. 428,000, according to evaluations submitted to the CoI.

Further evidence has also been gathered with regard to alleged misuses of State assets by way of printing T shirts, caps with promotional logos of the former president Mahinda Rajapaksa as well as the former deputy minister, at a cost of Rs. 1.25 million, borne by the State.

In addition, the printing of 2000 diaries at a cost of Rs. 1.09 million was also established, through the inquiry process.

A public rally organized in support of the former president under the guise of the inauguration of the lagoon development program held on 30 December 2014 at a cost Rs. 5 million was also identified as another instance of abusing public funds by the CoI.

All of the above allocations had been approved by deputy minister Gunaratne.

The investigators have also uncovered the fact that the above contracts have been awarded in violation of procurement guidelines.