The arrests were made over the procurement of a high-capacity vacuum packaging machine capable of sealing 2,000 kilograms of fish per hour, which was allegedly purchased without following proper procedures and when it was not required. The move is said to have caused a loss of Rs. 5,856,116 to the government.
The suspects have been identified as Lalith Daulagala, former Chairman of the Corporation; Chandana Krishantha, Managing Director; Vijith Pushpakumara, Supply Manager; and Anura Chandrasena Bandara, Operations Manager (Workforce Finance Manager).
CIABOC stated that Vijith Pushpakumara was also arrested for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs. 100,000, credited to his personal account, in exchange for releasing part of a payment due to the supplier company for the said procurement.
The four suspects were produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, where Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered their release on two surety bails of Rs. 1.5 million each. The court further ordered that the suspects surrender their passports.
