The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that steps will be taken to arrest and produce former Petroleum Minister Arjuna Ranatunga in connection with an ongoing corruption investigation.
This was revealed when the case involving former Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, Dhammika Ranatunga, was taken up before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.
During proceedings, the Magistrate questioned Bribery Commission officials as to whether the former minister would be arrested and produced before court on the same day. Responding, Assistant Legal Director of the Commission, Anusha Sambagaperuma, stated that Arjuna Ranatunga is currently overseas and would be arrested and produced before court at a later date.
After considering submissions made by both the Bribery Commission and the defence, the Magistrate ordered the release of suspect Dhammika Ranatunga on bail, subject to two surety bonds of Rs. 1 million each. The court also imposed a foreign travel ban on the suspect and ordered him to surrender both his Sri Lankan and American passports, as he is a dual citizen. He was further warned not to influence witnesses.
Presenting facts to court, the Assistant Legal Director stated that investigations were initiated following a complaint made by the Sri Lanka Nidahas Sewaka Sangamaya of the Petroleum Corporation to the Upali Abeyratne Inquiry Committee.
She explained that fuel procurement for the Petroleum Corporation is carried out under long-term tenders and short-term (local) tenders. Cabinet approval had been sought on July 27, 2017, to procure fuel from China Petro Company through three long-term tenders. However, the suspect had objected, claiming the process was risky, and had recommended cancelling the tender call.
The court was informed that a committee appointed thereafter had declined to make a decision, and that the suspect had allegedly pressured committee members to issue a decision contrary to their position. Statements have since been recorded from committee members regarding this matter.
The Assistant Legal Director further stated that the Cabinet, as well as the then President, had later determined that long-term fuel procurement was the appropriate method. However, due to the lapse of the tender period, China Petro Company declined to supply fuel, compelling authorities to procure fuel through 27 short-term tenders, allegedly causing a loss of approximately Rs. 800 million to the government.
The Bribery Commission requested that Dhammika Ranatunga be remanded, citing plans to arrest another suspect linked to the case. However, President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris, appearing for the suspect, opposed the request, stating that investigations had concluded and that his client had fully cooperated with investigators.
He also informed court that a Fundamental Rights petition had been filed before the Supreme Court challenging the foreign travel ban imposed by the Bribery Commission, and that leave to proceed had been granted.
After hearing both parties, the Magistrate ordered the suspect’s release on bail and fixed the case for further hearing on March 13.
