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Mahindananda grilled by FCID

22 Jun 2015 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage was quizzed by the Police Financial Crime Investigation Division today over the non-payment of Rs. 39 mn to Lanka Sathosa for purchasing a large consignment of gaming boards during the previous regime.

MP Aluthgamage, who reported to the FCID office in Kollupitiya at 9.00 a.m. was questioned until 12.30 p.m. and a statement was recorded, Police Spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said.

The former Minister was summoned to obtain his version of the mega deal involving millions of rupees just weeks after the former Secretary to the Ministry of Sports Ret. Maj. Gen. Nanda Mallawarachchi was also quizzed by the FCID.

The FCID says that the Ministry of Sports had ordered Carom and Draughts Boards 14, 000 each in December 2014 through Lanka Sathosa promising to make the payment once the purchase was made.

The goods had been delivered to the Sport Ministry by the Lanka Sathosa, but the payment had not been made to date, according to the FCID.

The Chief Accountant at the Ministry of Sports had refused make the payment for the gaming boards, saying he was not made aware of such a deal by the Ministry officials and no funds had been allocated for such purpose.

The Daily Mirror learns that the 28, 000 boards came in 17 container loads, had been distributed among the SLFP electoral organizers in the countrywide. It is also learnt that part of the consignment was distributed amongst 600 employees of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) attached to SLFP backed trade union ‘Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya’.

The purpose of the purchase of such a large number of gaming boards, had been stated in the Sports Ministry documents, as ‘to distribute amongst Sports Clubs in countrywide bid to enhance and develop the Carom and Draughts games.” (KKK)

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Mahindananda grilled by FCID

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