Dec.09 disclosure has implicated Prez, his advisors
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) inquiring into massive revenue losses suffered in 2020/2021 owing to an alleged sugar tax scam has summoned the then Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena for questioning.
The CIABOC intends to question incumbent Media and transport minister Gunawardena on Monday (19).
State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya on 09 Nov., informed Parliament that the Treasury had suffered losses amounting to Rs 16 bn due to the unprecedented reduction of duty on a kilo of white sugar from Rs 50 to 25 cents with effect from Oct 13, 2020. The SLFPer said that the Treasury could recover only 30 percent of Rs 16 bn loss.
Lawmaker Siyambalapitiya assured parliament that the government would ensure such unilateral decisions couldn’t be taken in the future.Authoritative sources told The Island that the then Presidential Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera had been questioned in this regard. The one-time Secretary to the Treasury has told investigators the President cleared the reduction of duty on sugar.
Then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa served as the finance minister atthetime whereas Ajith Nivard Cabraal heldthestate finance portfolio. S. R. Attygalle served as the Secretary to the Treasury.The SLPP government increased theduty to Rs 50 in May 2020, a couple of months before the general election.
CIABOC would seek…
