FCID HAS NOT SHOWN ANY INTEREST TO PROBE RICE IMPORTS BY LANKA SATHOSA
Chairman of PCOI slams FCID Director
The FCID had failed to file list of suspects for a duration of four years period, for several complaints on losses incurred to the government from the transactions between Lanka Sathosa and Liverpool Navigation (Pvt) Limited in 2015.
Testifying before the Presidential Commission Director of FCID Pavithra Dayaratne informed that they could not identify suspects as the documents to prove this matter were inadequate.
Chairman of the Commission, retired Supreme Judge, Upali Aberathna said that FCID had turned a blind eye to the matter. However, witness informed the Commission that 16 probable respondents had been identified and currently the FCID is checking the financial status of all suspected individuals. He also said that the FCID had not identified any facts related to rice imports through the port for the Lanka Sathosa and quantity of rice moving out from warehouse. “From the investigations we had completed so far, it reveals that there was no proper procurement process had been followed when importing rice,” witness said. When the Commissioners queried from the witness about the investigations carried out on the instructions given by Minister Rishad Bathuideen on particular transaction, witness said that FCID had obtained a statement from the Minister who denied the allegations against him.
“You are sleeping on this investigation, we are dissatisfied on the progress,” Chairman of the Commission told the FCID Director.
Clarifying further facts, witness said that the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCOI) appointed by the previous regime had sealed some rice warehouses and there were no document regarding the storage process. “Investigations revealed that Lanka Sathosa officials had stored consumable imported rice with contaminated rice stockpiles in these sealed stores,” he said.
FCID Director also said that the Bribery Commission (BC) is conducting an investigation on the same matter and certain important documents had obtained by them.
He said that BC is also planning to file case in Magistrate Courts and it had refused to provide the documents stating that it would hamper investigation conducted by them.
However, Chairman of the Commission issued notice for the Director General of BC to handover the necessary documents to the PCOI.
Providing evidence about Mega Construction, which owned by wife of Minister Rishad Bathuideen, witness said that Minister’s wife is a director in that company and it is comprised of all close relatives of the Minister.
He also said that the investigations revelation that Mega Construction had been changed its name few times due to political pressure and the company had a close relationship with Liverpool Navigation (Pvt) Limited. Accordingly PCOI had issued summons to Minister Rishad Bathuideen and his Public Relations Officer Abdullah to appear before the Commission to provide evidence on the matter.
Earlier, testifying before the Commission former Chairman of Lanka Sathosa, Kiran Atapattu informed the Commission that Minister Rishad Bathuideen and his Public Relations Officer Abdullah pressurized him to make an illegal payment of Rs.549 million to Liverpool Navigation (Pvt) Limited in July 2015.
He said the Liverpool Navigation owner and Minister Bathiudeen were close friends and in April 2015, they had imported a large consignment of rice. He said the consignment was bought to Sri Lanka in more than 1,600 freight containers.