AG’s opinion sought on corruption in NCPC

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has urged relevant state officers to seek the opinion of Attorney General on taking action against those who are responsible for corruption at North Central Provincial Council (NCPC), The Parliament media unit said yesterday.   

It was revealed at the recent COPA meeting that there had been large scale misuse of funds which were set aside for renovation of 53 roads in the province which were damaged by floods a few years ago.   

Officials attached to NCPC had informed the COPA that some of the officers who were responsible for the fraud had died and therefore they were unable to recover the defaulted funds from them. Further they are yet to recover the misappropriated funds from those who are currently alive.   

Meanwhile it was revealed that a contractor who undertook to construct an auditorium at the Palugasdamana MV had failed to complete it though a sum of Rs 15,747,500 had been paid as fees. The same contractor had also failed to complete the construction of the Polonnaruwa Public Market despite being awarded the contract.   

Furthermore it has been revealed that a stock of Thriposha worth Rs 1.09 million was found stuck at the Railways Department stores. COPA Chairman Kabir Hashim has recommended an internal audit with regard to the matter   

Deputy Minister Aruna Jayasekera, Nalin Hewage, MPs Chandana Sooriarachchi, Ruwantilaka Jayakody, Oshani Umanga, Manjula Sooriarachchi, Susantha Kumara Nawaratne, T. K. Jayasundara, J. C. Alawathuwela, Sunil Ratnasiri and Chanaka Madugoda participated in the meeting.