SIC to probe into irregularities of Internal Transport Ministry

It will inquire into the nonrecovery of Rs. 142 million for providing SLTB buses for the UPFA publicity campaign at the presidential election

A Special Investigation Committee (SIC) has been appointed by the Secretary to the Internal Transport Ministry to investigate and make recommendations on corruption, maladministration and irregularities taken place in the Internal Transport Ministry and its affiliated institutions during the last five years.

A memo submitted by Internal Transport Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara to obtain instructions from the Attorney General’s Department for taking legal actions against relevant institutions and if possible against persons revealed by the said Investigation Committee was approved by the cabinet on Wednesday.

The SIC has been tasked by the cabinet to investigate and take necessary action to prevent such activities in the future. It will inquire into the non-recovery of Rs. 142 million for providing SLTB buses for the UPFA publicity campaign at the presidential election.

Among other matters to be inquired is the non-receipt of the discount in purchasing 2,200 buses for the SLTB on supplier’s credit, poor quality and losing of import duty concessions by the SLTB in purchasing spare parts, operation of private buses under the SLTB logo, operation of 20 luxury buses which were imported for the Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting by the Road Development Authority, enormous cost and issues regarding the estimates of the Northern Railway Line constructions, estimated high costs for the Matara - Kataragama Railway Line construction, vesting and leasing out of Railway lands to external institutions in vague procedures, operation of carriages/special trains with private sector participation, financial loss occurred due to the operation of Viceroy - two special train and the sale of scrap iron deviating from the acceptable procedure.

Minister Senaratne said the SLTB has filed charges against the UPFA and SLFP general secretaries and Gamini Senarath, the Chief of Staff of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to collect Rs. 142 million and added it will not be a big deal for Senarath to foot the bill.