Former Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne has exploited Sri Lankan Airlines funds worth over Rs. 3 million as fuel reimbursements, vehicle maintenance expenses and food expenses.
Jayaratne
The BOI inquiry into the financial misappropriations of the national carrier has revealed that former Minister Jayaratne had obtained unauthorized fuel-bill reimbursements during the period of April 2011 – November 2014, by SLA. A monthly payment close to Rs. 75,000 had been made to P Rasaiah as fuel bill reimbursements of Jayarathne, to Lanka Filling Station located in Irattakulam, Madampe amounting to a total of Rs. 2,853,935.04.
During the inquiry it has been revealed that the reimbursement had been sought through letters to SLA without any invoices or vehicle numbers. The letters had been endorsed by officials attached to the Civil Aviation Ministry including Jinadasa Rajapaksa who served as the Media Secretary and Dhammika Attygalle who was an advisor and the Private Secretary DMJ Dissanayake.
The inquiry report notes although the letters contain references to petrol order numbers no such orders had been received by the SLA and no official documents or minutes linking these payments to an official channel of the Ministry exist. Moreover, neither has the Ministry sought any clarifications into whether the payments were in respect of actual fuel reimbursements or whether it was for the Minister or any other individual.
It has come to light, that the fuel reimbursements for December 2014 and January had been received by the SLA on Jan 21 but without an approval from the former CEO Kapila Chandrasena – an obvious indication of his awareness of the illegality of the payment since he was no longer able to cover it up due to regime change. However, it had earlier been approved by the Chairman who had admitted to the BOI inquiry team that the payments were illegal but he approved them since he could not decline the line Minister’s request.
Meanwhile it has also been revealed that a vehicle bearing the registration number WPEA-303 which was the alternative car used by the CEO of the SLC and for the transportation of special guests had been released by the institution for the use of former Minister Jayaratne, upon the verbal directives of former SLA Chairman Nishantha Wickramasighe.
The maintenance cost of this vehicle had been approximately Rs. 273,759.90 and Wickramsinghe has admitted that releasing the vehicle to the former Minister was illegal but had given the same excuse – he didn’t decline the request since it came from the line Minister. The BOI has also noted that no prior approval was obtained for the release of this vehicle from the Ministry of Finance.
BoI also noted that the Minister has obtained 330,000 worth food from Sri Lankan Airlines for his May Day event.
“We also see a series of invoices for outdoor functions which are of a political nature namely the service at Minister’s house etc. which are not connected to the lawful functions of SLA.” the BoI said in the report.
Sena / April 9, 2015
Is this sordid tale re Sri Lankan Airlines and its parasites, crooks and sexual predators ever end?Now comes Priyanka Jayaratne the Ex Civil Aviation Minister putting his beak in the Honey Pot and screwing the Airline out of thousands of dollars on Vehicle maintainance and food for May day Parties etc. When are these bastards going to be hauled before the courts,All tis talk and no action should stop.We need results not empty talk.
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leel / April 9, 2015
If BoIs appointed to all other government institutions like CGR, CEB, CPC, CTB ect, ect, things are no difference. But those institutions still need to carry on because people need them. More than 80% of Lankan population use them. Even 5% of Lankan population doesn’t use this Srilankan airline need not to run on poor man’s parippu tax, if can not sell close down.
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Peace Lover / April 9, 2015
Does this govt have the guts to take action or not ? if they dont what happened to MR Govt will happen to them
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Ansar / April 9, 2015
Truly I am getting sick of all these revelations,coming out on a daily basis now.
Where is action. (NATO) No action talking only.
Can someone enlighten me on what grounds Duminda was released on bail. I get a feeling that, it may be due to the closeness of Duminda’s Bro to Ranil. He is the prime suspect in the broad daylight murder of Bharatha Lakshman, to release him on bail cannot be justified under any circumstances.
Let us call a spade a spade, even if it is from our YAHAPALANAYA gang.
No wonder Hirunika is not in the scene these days. If things begin to drift in this direction, before long MARAYA may make a comeback, as predicted by an Indian journal.
Over to you YAHAPALANA Team, wake up before it is too late. It is time that the President takes charge and fulfil the election pledges, particularly the rule of law against corruption and murder. The wheel of justice needs to move faster and it looks like even the 19th amendment is in trouble waters.
The President needs to get involved, on whom the confidence was placed for a change.It appears like, THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME.
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Fathima Fukushima / April 9, 2015
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FAMOUS449 / April 9, 2015
What the f..k was happening at SLA under the previous govt of Mara?
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Vibhushana / April 9, 2015
There is a long line of crooks waiting to be prosecuted already. The process is too slow in one hand. In the other, only 4% of the alleged crooks get convicted.
Why is there such a large number of prosecutions end in favor of the defendant? Is it because the laws are too lax? Is it because the cops are mishandling the evidence? Is it because the judges and the jury are taking bribes?
Who is responsible for this? What is the Chief Justice doing? Is the m^$%@#$@#*!r sleeping???
What Ceylon needs is Judge Judy to clear this mess isn’t it?
[Edited out]
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Japwatch / April 9, 2015
If these misappropriation was done by a common man, the authorities don’t spare a second to bring them to the books. Why are these fraudsters allowed time and spared? Prosecute them.
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Aia / April 9, 2015
What the heck was going on with Sri Lankan Airlines. Everyone seemed to have a go and sliced out the cash cow leaving bear bones.
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Pasel / April 9, 2015
These guys didn’t expect MR regime will go down this fast
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punchinilame / April 9, 2015
The wheels of Justice will grind slowly but surely. These highlights from the Report are
being published daily by CT in a way to get the readership interested. The charges will
have to be framed with utmost care by the AG dept. so that they do not slip in the
Courts – like Ratwatte and his millions in HNB lockers?? Every offender in this first
MS/RW Govt. BOI will I am sure be fully implemented- but in due course; well timed for
the next Elections!!
Lets await the other Chapters in the Report patiently.
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justice / April 9, 2015
Why is this man not yet charged in court and remanded?
Poor citizens are charged and remanded by magistrates who beleive everything the police tell them.
Here is incontrovertible proof of fraud on a massive scale.
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Thumpane Gamaya / April 9, 2015
Ranil & UNP Team….we need action now…don’t come canvassing for votes without Jarapaksa & his clan being put behind bars…..
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Native Vedda / April 9, 2015
Thumpane Gamaya
“don’t come canvassing for votes without Jarapaksa & his clan being put behind bars…”
Please bear with Ranil until he is ready with more prisons.
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Ben Hurling / April 10, 2015
SLA corruption is an exact mirror image of how the whole country is being governed. By both SLFP & UNP. This is nothing new.
Nobody named in the SLA report has even been criminally charged yet. It is way too slow. Once these cases reach dysfunctional & corrupt judiciary, they will drag on for 10 to 15 years.
Ample time for these well-established crooks to play the system. All of them will go free at the end.
Those who have mismanaged and stolen public wealth have already invested their ill-gotten means in other places. Even outside SL. They will be OK for generations to come.
Think about Balapatabendi clan accused of corruption during CBK regime. His offspring are all well settled in Australia. With their real estate investments & banking in tax paradises around the world.
We don’t even talk about them anymore. It is fully possible to live a respectable life built on stolen wealth from Sri Lanka.
Cheers!
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Thennekoon / April 9, 2015
This ex minister is called GON Jayaratne by people in his electorate. Remember, this guy failed to read figure in millions when he presented some project expenses of his ministry in parliament. See how clever the guy is with millions when he wanted to loot public money.
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Senthil / April 9, 2015
It is no surprise to our Srilankan culture. Immediately deny any facts. Pass some thing in the parliament and tear it off following month. Deny rights to minority. Place Buddhist statue at the entrance of Hindu temples. Like wise none of the people ransacked Srilanka will be punished. Those who killed JVP boys were never punished. The man who attacked Indian prime minister is a hero now. What a country, what a greater people, we have to be very proud of our nation. One and only hope is UN.
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gogomahinda / April 9, 2015
Most politicians help themselves at people & country expense.
Career pols should be banned,an amendment to constitution so that only above board/educated people who know relevant subject/s come into parliament.Ironic that biggest known rogues guide our destiny !
Or
Hand over lanka on management contract to Singapore
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Paul / April 9, 2015
‘Hand over lanka on management contract to Singapore’
for what percentage to our politicos?
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Paul / April 9, 2015
All these revelations. Why has nobody been arrested? Because the authorities who arrest, prosecute and convict are as corrupt as the criminals. The whole of society is rotten so who can clean it up?
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Namal Perera / April 9, 2015
When Alibaba is a crook what can you expect from his associates.
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dcn / April 9, 2015
Disgraceful acts committed by politicians. How can you give the responsibility of managing the country to these types of guys?
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Daya Weerasinghe / April 9, 2015
This is a load of crap……lots of bla,bla about corruption and fraud.
The culprits are still free……not a singel arrest..!
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Vara / April 9, 2015
These corrupt ‘practicioners’ are not aliens.They are well
respected,eminent and so chosen by the people to govern and look
after their well being.In a democracy the people elect a Government
they deserve.Why are the rallies,meetings and agitations to bring back the old regime if that was corrupt. Either it was not or not enough.
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truth finder / April 10, 2015
Weliamuna has done a great job by doing the report in no time. Like the wikileaks it is getting published in CT. But how can the common man have access? Free WiFi in restricted areas will not get through to most. Why cannot the government and anti corruption groups get it published in Sinhala papers, discuss in TV shows piece by piece? MaRa’s vote base is there, The common Sinhala Buddhist villagers! Some of the big sharks should eat the Sinhala Avurudu kiribath in jail!!
what about the chief administrator of aviation the Secretary of Aviation? Is he not responsible? The Secretary will be administratively responsible for everything in the ministry MORE THAN THE MINISTER! Was he investigated? Was he a passive passenger in the airline just signing papers while his/wife’s tax files were protected by MaRa gang? Are these administrators still lurking around destroying evidence?
MORE ACTION PLEASE…….. IT IS AN INSULT TO WELIAMUNA IF ACTION IS NOT TAKEN!!!
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iemerald / April 10, 2015
SO CHARGE THE BASTARD.
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shankar / April 10, 2015
hang the bugger.enforce the death penalty immediately.
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Malika / April 10, 2015
NATO – no action talk only
Aiyo atleat suspend these criminals until further inquiry. Including the former chairman, kapila and Pradeepa hr fellow who talks high. They are a burden to the country living from our tax money…. Cant pay them anymore
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Douglas / April 10, 2015
When this payment was made what did the Finance Manager do? Was he not aware that this was highly questionable expenditure? I know this Finance Manager a qualified Accountant accredited by a recognized Accounting Institution of Sri Lanka. That Institution too must move in the matter and question him of not maintaining the proper standards required of its members. Isn’t he also the son of the ex Air Lanka Finance Manager who was a par excellence professional and a gentleman? I believe, the “Powers Be” of Sri Lankanair who never dreamed of being made to face this situation allowed the Professionals to act in an honorable manner and got their services to run an International Airline in its true form.
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Maduka / April 11, 2015
douglas, not only the finance head even some other heads are highly qualified including head of hr. However they don’t have a quality of life because trier life styles are corrupted. So many women. Company pus overseas travel and other benefitS . Life is a bed of roses with power and political influence. I wonder whether finance head is the same but hr head is a notorious character— education has not made any impact in his life since the quality is missing.
More similar cases are there in the company. Actually it’s so very common
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tinpotjihadi / April 12, 2015
You forget to mention that Dammika Attygalle is a very close relative of Ranil Wickremesinghe and enjoyed the good life during the UNP regime from 1977. Ranil appointed his other cousin to replace Gota at Apollo hospitals and you didn’t utter a peep
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