President’s Chief of Staff Mahanama, STC Chairman arrested

3 May 2018 07:32 pm - 22 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The President’s Chief of Staff I. H. K. Mahanama and State Timber Corporation (STC) Chairman P. Dissanayaka were arrested by the Bribery Commission this evening in the act of accepting a bribe of Rs.20 million from an Indian businessman.

A Bribery Commission official said the businessman, who had purchased a land at the Kantale Sugar Factory, had wanted to purchase machinery and building space to start operating the factory.

The suspects had solicited a bribe of Rs.540 million from the businessman promising that they would provide him with the approval needed to obtain machinery and building space for this purpose. However, after negotiations were held between the two parties, it was decided to reduce the asking price to Rs.100 million.

The raid took place while the two suspects were accepting Rs. 20 million as an advance payment in the car park of a leading luxury hotel in Colombo yesterday. The officials said the suspects were in the process of counting the money at the time of the arrest.

The main suspect, Dr Mahanama, was earlier the Secretary to the Ministry of Lands and Parliamentary Reforms. He was appointed as the President’s Chief of Staff two months ago but had told the businessman he still had the power to obtain the approval that was needed.

Officials of the Bribery Commission said the suspects would be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate after their statements were recorded.

The second suspect, P. Dissanayake, was formerly the Secretary to former President Chandrika Kumaratunga. (Darshana Sanjeewa)

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Comments - 22

Dr.Siri Thursday, 03 May 2018 08:04 PM

How these fellows make money

Sincere Thursday, 03 May 2018 08:05 PM

Now it is quite obvious who are the king pins and are at the root in bribery and corruption in this country!

Unchikun Thursday, 03 May 2018 08:12 PM

Now now now, I am laughing. Now we can have a new Presidential Commission to investigate this deal.

DHA Thursday, 03 May 2018 08:12 PM

Very soon this country is going to become like Somalia....

Sara Thursday, 03 May 2018 08:18 PM

I think both of them should "resign" from their posts immediately.The matter will end then. How can they be arrested, the way you arrest traffic policemen? they are VVIPs in the country aren't they?Afterall they did not take a Penthouse Suite, it is only some money, petty cash.

Rohantha Thursday, 03 May 2018 08:59 PM

They will claim they did not know this money was a bribe. But they were told to collect by daisy achchi .

C.K.Lankaputhra. Thursday, 03 May 2018 08:21 PM

Now It can in Sri Lanka too.

BE FAIR Thursday, 03 May 2018 08:33 PM

Another "Scientific Operating Procedure" it seems.

ANTHOYPILLAI Thursday, 03 May 2018 08:36 PM

Let's hope there's no twist and turns to the story by the morning. Still state media hasn't published the news.

Ceylon Thursday, 03 May 2018 08:37 PM

They got but no plan to give the fair share to their top.they must learn how to share.otherwise result is this.

Karu Thursday, 03 May 2018 08:43 PM

An Indian giving 20 million to the President’s Chief Of Staff.Indians want all information from Sri Lanka.

gonawala sunil Thursday, 03 May 2018 08:48 PM

Both these officials are civil servants......the level of our civil service can be judged by these characters....our civil service needs a complete overhaul....ideally qualified foreign nationals must be appointed to our civil service and judicial service.

Gamaya Thursday, 03 May 2018 09:30 PM

The way things stand now, we need foreign nationals for post of president and pm too.

Thushara Thursday, 03 May 2018 09:00 PM

Just imagine how many times they have done this before.

Don Juan Thursday, 03 May 2018 09:02 PM

One was the secretary of CBK. May be they were engaged in selling the President. May be highest somebody has given order to BC to clear the mess. This is a good trend.

Sisili Bisili Thursday, 03 May 2018 09:11 PM

Bribery Commission is now doing a commendable service under the new chairman. Hats off for his efforts. General Public have no idea how much these kinds pf Kingpins have taken since the past few decades.

Jagath Leanage Thursday, 03 May 2018 09:16 PM

Well set plan. මණ්ඩලෙ කචල් වගේ.

Zeena Thursday, 03 May 2018 09:21 PM

Mr president and mr prime minister this is a damn disgrace corrupt people surround themselves with corrupt individuals then only they can survive.What is the message this gives the country.First straighten yourselves and then get some decent educated people for proper advice.

Ranjith Thursday, 03 May 2018 09:34 PM

What is happening to our country can we see a good future.Intellectuals are acting in this manner is a fatal situation.We need to pray for help

Peter Friday, 04 May 2018 03:59 PM

MS what happened to your chief of staff, did you not get any kickbacks for him to get arrested.You have no shame as your hands are tainted with dirty money.

TONY Friday, 04 May 2018 06:11 PM

THERE IS NOT END TO BRIBERY

charlie Sunday, 06 May 2018 07:45 PM

these men have been doing this for quite some times,its good to expose them by people who aware of those corrupt activities ,formerly Mahanama was secretary to hon.Gayantha karunatilaka,The missing link here is who wants him at prez office after his retirement,who found he as such a useful person,what are the other projects he directly involved,if he is so , there may be more high level officers should be there

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President’s Chief of Staff Mahanama, STC Chairman arrested

Comments - 22

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