The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has decided to file action against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody over allegations of financial misappropriation during his tenure at the Fertiliser Corporation in 2015.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has decided to file action against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody over allegations of financial misappropriation during his tenure at the Fertiliser Corporation in 2015.
The case, to be filed in the High Court, will name the minister and two others as defendants on charges of misappropriating Rs. 8 million.
According to CIABOC sources, Mr. Jayakody, who had chaired the tender board at the time, is accused of irregularities in awarding a tender that later came under scrutiny. Concerns had been raised over payment procedures and the placement of a bond, leading to the launch of an investigation.
The Bribery Commission, which had resumed inquiries based on earlier probes, has now concluded there is sufficient evidence to proceed.
Minister Jayakody is set to become the first sitting minister in the present government to face corruption charges.
The matter had previously been highlighted in Parliament by Batticaloa District ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, who alleged that an individual implicated in financial fraud at the Fertiliser Corporation was holding office in the NPP cabinet.
The CIABOC’s move follows a series of corruption cases filed against ministers of the previous administration.
