CIABOC moves to file charges against Rajitha Senaratne in Kirinda harbour sand case
– The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) today informed Chief Magistrate of Colombo Asanka S. Bodaragama, that it is taking steps to file indictments before the Colombo High Court against former Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne and former Chairman of the Fisheries Harbour Corporation, Upali Liyanage in connection with the Kirinda Fisheries Harbour sand-mining project. The project, awarded to a Korean company, is alleged to have caused the government a loss exceeding Rs. 26.2 million.
The CIABOC further informed court that the investigations into the matter have been completed and the investigation file has been forwarded to the Commission’s legal division. Accordingly, the filing of indictments against the suspects before the Colombo High Court could take place in the coming days.During the hearing, the CIABOC stated that on May 10, 2012, the Korean company carried out sand mining at the Kirinda Fisheries Harbour. The company allegedly received illegal authorization to operate the project in a manner that allowed the sand to be sold in the local market, causing a loss of Rs. 26.2 million to the government.
