Opposition demands probe after audio clip alleges Handunneththi’s role in rice import scam

While highlighting that an audio clip is being circulated on social media in which Minister Sunil Handunneththi is heard assuring someone that he will do the needful to clear a stock of rice that had been imported without a license, an opposition MP said the matter should be probed forthwith.

“A Minister is heard assuring someone that he will do the needful to get the stock of rice cleared. He is also heard questioning what could be done as the importer will have to pay a fine of Rs. 84 million. We request that a probe be conducted into this,” Opposition MP Chithral Fernando told Parliament.

“This is a scam which is equal to clearing 323 red-labelled containers. Some 130,000 metric tonnes are involved in this scam,” the MP added.

He said one cannot get away by getting Youtubers to clear his name.

MP Hector Appuhamy questioned whether there is an internal issue within the government and whether anyone is out to politically destroy the Minister involved.

Meanwhile, responding to the allegations, Minister Sunil Handunnetti said he has lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) alleging that the claim was an insult.

The Minister said the audio has been taken out of context, explaining that he was addressing a request concerning five containers of rice that could not be released from Customs due to an import license issue.

He insisted that he was merely providing guidance on resolving the procedural matter and was not condoning any illegal activities.