2 February 2021 12:00 am
By Yohan Perera
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya Youth Movement yesterday lodged a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Bribery or Corruption, demanding a full investigation into the alleged sugar fraud that cost the Government over Rs. 11 billion.
Filing the complaint, Samagi Tharuna Balawegaya Chairman MP Mayantha Dissanayake stated that in addition to the bribery investigation, a Presidential Commission of Inquiry should also be appointed to probe every aspect of the alleged fraud and the persons involved in it. Mr. Dissanayake said the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, will continue to monitor the progress of the bribery investigation. “Our struggle will not stop here. We will continue to raise this issue in Parliament and demand answers. This staggering deal should not be brushed under the carpet. Everyone involved in this deal, irrespective of their positions or allegiance, should be brought to justice,” he added.
“Approximately 75,000 MT of sugar has been imported to the country by a powerful businessman after the import tax on sugar was reduced to 25 cents per Kilogram. Despite the drastic reduction of taxes, sugar prices in the market did not see a significant change. The state-owned Sathosa purchased sugar at higher prices and sold to the public at Rs. 85 per kilogram. On the surface, we can see a suspicious deal behind the sudden influx of sugar into the country after the reduction of taxes. We suspect that some wheeler-dealers affiliated with the Government derived large profits from this deal,” Mr.Dissanayake said.
“We urge the Bribery Commission to probe the involvement of former Sathosa Chairman Nushad Perera’s in this and his connection with Sajad Mowzoon, the owner of the company which imported sugar. When we raised the matter in Parliament, no member of the ruling party came out with a proper answer,” he added.