Vehicles worth Rs.70mn vanish from CEB

23 March 2013 03:58 am - 17 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A survey carried out by the Internal Audit (IA) of the cash-strapped Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has revealed that vehicles worth more than Rs.70 million had been written off.

A confidential Internal Audit report issued after a 2012 survey which is in possession of the Daily Mirror revealed that 34 vehicles valued at Rs.70 million and used by various CEB branches have been written off with an estimated value of Rs.1.00 or zero rupees.

The audit survey had also found that eight of the vehicles used by the investigation division, Information Technology Division, Personal Division and Finance Division had vanished without a trace and the Deputy General Manager of the Personnel Branch had reported last year that these eight vehicles had not existed.

Three more vehicles given to Deputy General Manager, Personnel Branch had also gone missing.

The audit report issued under the signature of the Chief Internal Auditor points out that the officers who self-drive CEB vehicles had failed to maintain running charts and log books or update them as required by the CEB guidelines and only a very few officers have mentioned as to how they used the vehicle for official and private requirements.

The misuse of vehicles numbering more than 2,000 has been detected at almost all branches of the CEB including the offices of chairman, deputy chairman, GM, DGMs, the report said.

The most surprising and incomprehensible aspect of the audit survey was the criteria used to estimate the cost of vehicles.

For instance, the net book value was Rs.1.00 of a Mitsubishi car with the registered number G.P 8850 purchased in 2002 for Rs.2,443,517. The car has been used by an Executive Engineer and the average monthly mileage was 966 and average monthly fuel use was 110 litres.

“This is a crime. The CEB’s estimated loss in 2013 alone stands at Rs.28 billion and the use of assets in a haphazard and irresponsible manner is unpardonable,” CEB trade union leader Ranjan Jayalal said.

He said the CEB had purchased super luxury vehicles for top officials. These vehicles consume one litre of fuel for every two kilometers.

Mr. Jayalal said it was extremely unfair for the CEB to ask consumers to be frugal in power consumption and on the verge of increasing the rates by 26% to misuse and abuse CEB assets worth millions of rupees.

Meanwhile former Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said he did not use a single vehicle belonging to the CEB during his tenure as the subject minister. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)

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Comments - 17

Manel Saturday, 23 March 2013 06:22 AM

As former state sector employee, this unbelievable to hear. Those days even scrapped material was audited. What a country this has become.

zepline Sunday, 24 March 2013 12:35 PM

If the Electricity bill is increased then all citizen should
prepared to go on protest like wise in India.

shameer Saturday, 23 March 2013 04:44 PM

its shocking that vehicles of INVESTIGATION UNIT also has gone missing. may be they are playing "hide & seek". may i also join for what you guys play.....

Silva Saturday, 23 March 2013 04:19 PM

Ali Baba and 40 thieves. what a shame Patali pls GO HOME

sahdi Saturday, 23 March 2013 04:07 PM

BODU BALASENAA.......! RIGHT NOW STOP EVERY DIRTY THINGS AND SERCH THE MISSING VEHICLE WITH YOUR PARTNER MR.PAATLI (LIGHT KANUWA)

saman Saturday, 23 March 2013 08:31 AM

70 million vehicles vanish from CEB... this is one news.. and many other wastage... so every thing poor consumer has to pay.. what a beautiful country????...

Sammy Saturday, 23 March 2013 08:03 AM

........ and the burden gets passed on to the poor consumer.

Vickster Saturday, 23 March 2013 07:33 AM

Well, what is the big deal? We should form a Commission to inquire about this...

PRASANNAJIT Saturday, 23 March 2013 07:26 AM

Everybody knows CEB went down due to bad management. But nobody wants to look into that. Management is top heavy. Just check how many DGMs are there.

KD Saturday, 23 March 2013 04:09 AM

Patali should resign with immediate effect. Total failure in safeguarding the CEB Urumaya? Anyone thinks he can safeguard the Hela Urumaya? I say he should personally answer for every cent!

John Saturday, 23 March 2013 06:04 AM

Most obvious solution is to privatise and fire the CEB HODs and the Minister for burying his head in the sand - how pathetic to say he does not use a vehicle but lets all others MISUSE?!

Sareek Saturday, 23 March 2013 05:44 AM

Talking about halal and practise haram.

Lobo Saturday, 23 March 2013 05:02 AM

Such extravagant waste and still no one is held liable...AMAZING!

Suq Madique Saturday, 23 March 2013 05:02 AM

Are you kidding? Some minor employee will be used as a scapegoat and the case will be swept under the carpet and forgotten.

ANTON Saturday, 23 March 2013 05:00 AM

HIGH TENSION SHOCKING NEWS

chris Saturday, 23 March 2013 04:51 AM

Good answer Mr. Minister. lets stop the muslims and other minority issue for sometime, lets talk about the missing vehicles in your tenure.

ANTON Saturday, 23 March 2013 04:46 AM

Yeah, all those expenses and losses are included in our monthly electricity bill.

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Vehicles worth Rs.70mn vanish from CEB

Comments - 17

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