Indictments filed against Arjuna Ranatunga, his brother

By Bhagya Silva

Colombo, Jan. 22 (Daily Mirror) - The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama that indictments have been filed before the Colombo High Court against former Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Dhammika Ranatunga and former Petroleum Minister Arjuna Ranatunga alleging that they had caused a loss of approximately Rs. 800 million to the State through arbitrary fuel procurements while disregarding Presidential instructions.

The CIABOC stated that the case has been instituted under the Anti-Corruption Act, naming former Petroleum Minister Arjuna Ranatunga and former Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Dhammika Ranatunga as accused.

When the complaint against Dhammika Ranatunga was taken up, Assistant Legal Director of the CIABOC, counsel Anusha Sambandapperuma, presented the relevant facts to the court. She made these submissions while responding to a request by the defence to temporarily lift the overseas travel ban imposed on the suspect.

Counsel Sambandapperuma further submitted that any applications relating to the suspect should be made before the High Court, where the indictments have been filed.

Appearing for the suspect, President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris informed court that the request to relax bail conditions and lift the travel ban was made as Dhammika Ranatunga needed to travel overseas to obtain medical treatment for his wife. Counsel further stated that if indictments had been filed, relevant applications would be made before the appropriate High Court.

According to the prosecution, during a six-month period in 2017–2018, three long-term tenders that had been planned for the procurement of fuel required by the CPC were cancelled, and instead 27 spot tenders were implemented at higher prices. It is alleged that this course of action caused a loss of nearly Rs. 800 million (USD 4,716,957) to the CPC, and that the accused aided and abetted in causing such a loss.

After considering the submissions of both parties, the Chief Magistrate directed the CIABOC to submit further facts to court on March 13.