Minister Sunil Handunneththi has lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) alleging that claims linking him to a rice import scam are an insult. The minister said an audio clip circulating on social media has been taken out of context.
Handunneththi explained that the recording relates to his guidance on resolving a procedural issue involving five containers of rice held at Customs due to an import license problem. He insisted he was not condoning any illegal activity.
However, opposition MPs have demanded a probe after the clip reportedly captures the minister assuring someone that he would “do the needful” to clear a stock of rice imported without a license. Opposition MP Chithral Fernando said the alleged scam involves 323 red-labelled containers, amounting to some 130,000 metric tonnes of rice, and called for an immediate investigation.
MP Hector Appuhamy raised questions in Parliament about whether the controversy indicates internal government issues or a political attempt to target the minister.
