Alleged loss of nearly Rs.800Mn to CPC Bribery Commission to net Arjuna Ranatunga

Alleged loss linked to implementation of spot tenders at higher prices

Dhammika Ranatunga named as first suspect, Arjuna the second suspect

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption yesterday informed the Chief Magistrate’s Court that steps are being taken to arrest former Minister Arjuna Ranatunga who is also Sri Lanka’s world cup winning cricket captain and produce him before court, after naming him as a suspect in an incident in which an alleged loss of nearly Rs. 800 million was caused to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation by implementing spot tenders at higher prices. 

These facts were disclosed to court by Assistant Director of Legal Anusha Sammandapperuma appearing on behalf of the Bribery Commission, when former Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, Dhammika Ranatunga, who was arrested on corruption allegations, was produced before court.  

Presenting facts relating to the investigation, Assistant Director Anusha Sammanthapperuma informed court that three long term tenders scheduled for the procurement of fuel for the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation for the years 2017–2018 had been cancelled and that the subsequent decision to proceed with spot tenders at higher prices allegedly caused a loss of nearly Rs. 800 million to the Corporation. She stated that, based on this allegation, suspect Dhammika Ranatunga was arrested and produced before court. 

Accordingly, she informed court that Dhammika Ranatunga, who served as Chairman, has been named as the first suspect, while former Minister of Petroleum Resources Development Arjuna Ranatunga has been named as the second suspect and that steps are being taken to arrest both suspects. She further stated that Arjuna Ranatunga could not be arrested and produced before court as he is currently overseas. 

Requesting court intervention, she sought an order to remand the suspect, citing that investigations into the incident are still ongoing. 

Appearing on behalf of the suspect, President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris submitted to court that his client has been cooperating with the investigations and requested that he be released on bail under suitable conditions in terms of the Bail Act. 

After considering the submissions, the Chief Magistrate ordered the release of the suspect on two sureties of Rs. 1 million each and further imposed a travel ban on the suspect.