The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has arrested former National Transport Commission (NTC) Chairman and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) member Renuka Perera over alleged corruption relating to the issuance of bus permits for the Southern Expressway during the Mahinda Rajapaksa administration.
Perera served as NTC Chairman in 2014, when Mahinda Rajapaksa was President. Contemporary reports also confirmed his appointment as NTC Chairman in April 2014 under the then Government.
According to CIABOC, Perera is accused of unlawfully issuing 56 Southern Expressway passenger service permits to third parties without following the statutory procedures stipulated under the National Transport Commission Act No. 37 of 1991.
He is also accused of failing to comply with recommendations made under a Cabinet decision dated September 19, 2014, and failing to collect mandatory annual licence fees.
CIABOC said the alleged actions had resulted in significant financial losses to the State while providing improper benefits to private bus operators.
The suspect is scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court for further proceedings.
