The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption ( CIABOC ) has been charged in the Supreme Court for condoning a serious act organized state sponsored corruption involving a large number of MPs who had made huge profits of over 25 million rupees by selling their tax-free permits to motor car importers in the open market.
In the Writ application filed in the Supreme Court (SC/Writs/07/2016) against CIABOC, the Public Interest Rights Activist and a Lawyer Nagananda Kodituwakku argues that it had failed to perform the duty vested in it to conduct a credible investigation and prosecute those MPs who have sold their permits, despite first hand direct evidence of selling permits was made available to the CIABOC by him, demonstrating the selling of the MP tax free permits to third parties who had imported luxury vehicles and registered the vehicles in their name at the RMV despite they were not entitled to use the tax free privilege only afforded to the MPs only.
The Petitioner lawyer argues that those who hold office in the Legislature and the Executive have themselves acknowledged their obligations to the People and their duty to preserve people’s rights and privileges, so that the dignity and freedom of the citizens would be assured and a Just, Social, Economic and Cultural Order attained. But their conduct concerning the selling of permits demonstrates patent violation of their Constitutional obligations to the people, effectively nullifying the equality, fundamental rights and the doctrine of Democratic Governance enshrined in the Constitution.
The Lawyer further argues that the unlawful selling of permits clearly undermine the sovereignty in the people and betray the peoples’ trust and confidence placed in the MPs appointed or elected to the Legislature and Executive and such actions violates the law relating to corruption and hence false well within the criminal offence of corruption as defined in the Section 70 of the Bribery Act and therefore seeks the intervention of the Court that is empower to protect, vindicate and enforce the rights of the people [Article 105] of the Constitution.
Keviv / December 21, 2016
The Petition says That the UNP General Secratary Kabeer Hashim who talks good governance free from corruption caught red handed with the vehicle imported on his tax free permit found at a car sale outlet in Colombo. How come people tolerate and accept these two faced people in politics. God bless SriLanka
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Analyst / December 21, 2016
People !! People,!!!
Who is ruling our country??Who is ruling our country ?? We are LOST ! Completely Lost!!
Our elected government with full of hopes is LIMPING , POWERLESS, PASSING UNACCEPTABLE PERKS FOR THEMSELVES.
THe Jokers joint opposition running like Headless chickens and questioning every move with no understanding what so ever!!
What is going on??
The MARA NEWS PAGES splashing out Every word from the mouths of JJO’ s as though they’re The news of the day??
Our government continue doing with all what they NOT Promised the nation.
2 years have elapsed?
Do we have a government in CONTROL!!!
I am crying here with DISGUST!!
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Amarasiri / December 21, 2016
Nagananda Kodituwakku
RE:MP Tax-Free Vehicle Permits Abuse: CIABOC Charged For Condoning Corruption
“The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption ( CIABOC ) has been charged in the Supreme Court for condoning a serious act organized state sponsored corruption involving a large number of MPs who had made huge profits of over 25 million rupees by selling their tax-free permits to motor car importers in the open market.”
Thank you Sir.
Yes, expose, expose and expose.
Rs. 25 million is at the exchange rate of Rs.145/US $ =US $ 172,413.
Does it mean that the MPs will not commit any more corruption? No. They are greedy. Yes, oppose the corruption at every turn.
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Gamarala / December 21, 2016
Way to go Naga. Whole country should be great full to him for spending his valuable time for this national cause.
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Lone Wolf / December 21, 2016
CT,
“The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption ( CIABOC ) has been charged in the Supreme Court for condoning a serious act organized state sponsored corruption involving a large number of MPs who had made huge profits of over 25 million rupees by selling their tax-free permits to motor car importers in the open market”
Charged? Is that the correct verb?
The Writ of Mandamus is an attempt to force the CIABOC to act.
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Lone Wolf / December 21, 2016
Nagananda Kodituwakku,
Thanks again.
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Lone Wolf / December 21, 2016
Nagananda Kodituwakku,
SC/Writs/07/2016 is very impressive and most of the respondents are not mentioned at all in the article by CT.
There is in my opinion plenty of opportunity for further legal action. The case of respondent 88 is interesting and quite frankly unbelievable.
Where are the attachments?
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Adrian / December 21, 2016
If judges of the courts are mango friends of the politicians judgements of such cases also would be like mangoes.
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jim softy / December 21, 2016
Ranil wickramsinghe gave free car permits even to COPE members who investigated the Central Bank Scam.
FCID, CIABOC are all political, under politicians. they are not legislated. So, don’t expect fairness.
IT is just swindling Tax oayer money for the benefit of LAW – makers by law makers.
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JM. Samoon / December 21, 2016
May God bless you, Mr. Naganande Kodituwakku
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Kolitha / December 21, 2016
How come deputy finance minister and Bandula I Gunawardana defend this day light robbery of public funds. They never asked for mandate from people to rob national revenue. All these cheats should be dealt with severely forcing them to pay back defauded revenue plus the maximum jail term for robbing public funds.
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Madushanka / December 21, 2016
All cheats involve in the permit abuse should be dealt with severely for robbing public funds, particularly the MPs who try to defend this serious fraud.
List filed in the Supreme Court, reveals the names of crooks who rob over 25 million rupees by selling their tax free permits.
Ravi K himself said say that the government incur heavy loss of over 40 billions on this permit abuse and attempt to implicate JVP too in it, which AKD rejected with contempt in the parliament.
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Dcn / December 21, 2016
This issue of car permits to M.P.is a disgrace to our democratic system.
Until a few years ago such permits cannot be transferred until completion of 4 years after importation. This was changed during MR’s regime to accommodate transfers within a day. Now, it diverge UNP’yrs who are exploiting same.
This is a big loss of revenue to our coffers. Incidentally these permits were introduced to help M.P.s to have a good vehicle to move around their electorates and assist the people of the area.
Is the tax department collecting their dues.on this windfall profits??
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bandula / December 21, 2016
Colombo Telegraph
Please show us Kabeer Hashim’s vehicle, the image of which is marked as X19 in the Petition
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Dayan / December 21, 2016
I like the following paragraphs in the Petition
28. The Petitioner states further that the corruption in the Executive and the Legislature complained herein reveals that those who have been elected to the offices in these organs of the government, have compromised their integrity for unjust enrichment, thereby causing an enormous damage to the norm of the Representative Democracy, effectively nullifying the equality, fundamental rights and the doctrine of Democratic Governance enshrined in the Constitution.
29. The Petitioner states that the implied actions complained herein clearly undermine the sovereignty in the people and betray the trust and confidence placed in the MPs appointed or elected to the Legislature and Executive by the people and such actions are unlawful and clearly fall within the Offence of Corruption as defined in the Section 70 of the Bribery Act.
30. The Petitioner reiterates therefore that in this background only hope for the people is the Judiciary that is vested with the constitutional mandate to protect, vindicate and enforce the rights of the people [Article 105 of the Constitution]. Therefore, the Petitioner states that there is an obligatory National Duty vest in the Judiciary to take cognizance of this state sponsored financial fraud and to deal with fraudster elements decisively and appropriately and become a symbol of hope for the people of Sri Lanka, who have completely lost their confidence in the corrupt elements that abuse the people’s legislative and executive powers.
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Dutugamunu / December 21, 2016
“The Petitioner states that in the process of a study conducted into the abuse of tax-free permits offered to MPs, he discovered that the government had been incurring a colossal loss of revenue under the previous Mahinda Rajapakse regime and a formal complaint was made on 11th Dec 2014 to the CIABOC to initiate an investigation into the matter forthwith. These losses amounting to over 40 billion rupees a year were evidenced in the content of the first fiscal policy statement (Budget speech for the year 2015-2016) made in the Parliament on 20th Nov 2015, by the 83rd Respondent (the Minister of Finance) where it was proposed to abolish such schemes altogether”.
‘… Honorable Speaker, the vehicle permit schemes have been politicized and misused and have created a huge revenue loss over Rs 40 billion a year to the Government. I propose to abolish all the vehicle permits granted under different schemes, including to Parliamentarians. However, I ensure all government officers will be financially compensated for the benefit foregone. Further, all the vehicles purchased to the Government will be subject to all applicable taxes and necessary allocations will be provided in the Budget…’
How come this cheat Karunanayake once condemned the tax-free car permits for that was abused and caused over 40 billion rupees of revenue loss now defend the reissuance of them. We the people should be reunited to get all cheats out from politics.
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Jagath Fernando / December 21, 2016
Naga
Be careful they may give you also a Rs 40 million worth permit to keep your mouth shut.
This is what they did with COPE members and also with the maha nayakes in Kandy.
I can believe Kabir Hashim selling his permit but imagine even the monks in parliament have sold their permits and made Rs 40 million profit!!!
Ours is a corrupt nation and the only hope is a few more like Naga to take up the cause.
Jagath.
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Nagananda / December 21, 2016
No one need worry about my honesty and integrity, what I am looking for is a group of people of my caliber,at least 10, willing to commit for public good, without expecting any return. If that is possible then I would be the happiest, and would take all these cheats head-on and save the nation
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Raj / December 21, 2016
Count me in. I can be contacted at – raj115058@yahoo.com
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Lone Wolf / December 29, 2016
Nagananda,
“what I am looking for is a group of people of my caliber,at least 10, willing to commit for public good, without expecting any return.”
I have had similar ideas but don’t know how to organize nor if there are 10 persons of your caliber.
The opportunity coming with the RTI Act should be used for public good.
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Upul / December 21, 2016
Now, let’s see if the Justices in the Supreme Court read or understand the laws under which this case is filed.
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sarrij / December 21, 2016
The problem is the SL Supreme Court and the AG’s department has no “BALLS”.
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K A Sumanasekera / December 22, 2016
Nage who seems to be a decent bloke to do this all by himself without the NGO cash..
But he has to be careful here..
Yahapalana bosses can be nasty dudes and turn against heir own when the pot get hot..
Look what happened to poor Professor Weerasurai..
The Yahapalana defence Sec, Kalu Aiya has issued a writ in the Supreme court demanding that their own Yahapalana Weersurai pay e him LKR One Billion in damages for dinting his reputation.
My Elders tell me Professor Weersurai has good financial backing . Or at least had good FB.
And may be he lives in Colombo 7 in a house which must be worth a few bob now.
But poor Nage,
Where can he get the Dosh to pay for all those Yahapalana Rich and Famous whose Reputations have been not just dinted. but fully smashed, after CT published the Invoices for Klugers and Land Cruisers .
Starting with UNP Pin Up boy and Colombo Poodle Club President’s son,who recently claimed that his monthly income would have been in excess of 2.5 Million a month if he didn’t do Politiks.
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Douglas / December 22, 2016
With due respect and appreciation of the efforts made by Mr. Nagananda, I still believe that the Supreme Court will not make an order to Bribery Commission that once rejected the complaint on the ground that the Government decision did not prohibit the “SALE” of these vehicles imported on a Duty Free Permit. These are perks equivalent to the increases in allowances that the Parliamentarians are doled out to keep them supportive of all “corruption” and “robbery” that are being committed by the Leaders, including the Ministers. In short this is a “BRIBE”. The ONLY OPTION available is to carry on a “Peoples’ Awareness” campaign and make the “PEOPLES’ COURT” to REJECT all who made use of this facility including the Leaders who made this decision. Another action to be taken is to initiate an inquiry through the Inland Revenue Dept. to check on the BUYERS who bought these vehicles at such huge prices and how have they EARNED such money and also whether they have declared the “INCOME” and paid taxes. In some cases these vehicles would have been bought and registered under business entities. Even in such cases, the very businesses could be investigated to check on their EARNINGS and payment of TAXES on Declarations. Most important is for the PEOPLE to BOYCOTT any of the functions attended to by those MPs and prevent them coming to canvass the votes. Show your PROTEST as loud as possible.
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BBS Rep / December 22, 2016
Sri Lanka is a sea of corruption. Every harbour is controlled by a monster with a different name:’Department of Justice’ ‘Police’ the AGs Department, and by doubly dangerous monsters called Ministers and Deputy Ministers. The biggest harbour with a sublime name called Yahapalanaya is the harbour of the biggest monster. Nagananda is trying to navigate in a ‘Kattumaram’ in this treacherous sea. Good luck Nagananda.
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Analyst / December 22, 2016
Unable to fathom why and how those who have cases pending for hearing or on Bail are allowed to go around preaching Venom and Racism in Public or on MOUTH PIECE Daily Papers,
Is it not called Undermining a RULING GOVERNMENT??
Of course democracy and freedom of speech the nation is enjoying should not be misinterpreted nor misused.
Especially NOT by those awaiting Trials !!
Those awaiting Trials for Murder, Money Laundering, misappropriation of State Funds, Drugs importation ect should never be allowed OPENLY to Spread Racism and destroy the country .
The country is at the threshold facing the harsh world of competitiveness.
These BACKWARD DESTRUCTIVE ELEMENTS FROM THE SO CALLED JOINT OPPOSITION WILL
LEAD THE COUNTRY TO THE ULTIMATE DEMISS.
Hats off to K Nagananda.
Hope you will be able to muster 10 of your calibre , true Patriots for the love of their country will commit themselves for this worthwhile cause,
Good Luck.
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mark / December 22, 2016
Activist Nagananda charges 90 MPs, both the ruling party and the opposition for corruption including the 3 commissioners of the CIABOC and its former Director General Dilrukshi Wickramasinghe. We want to see the evidence of sale of permits/car that appears to a state sponsored corruption running into over 7 billion rupees of revenue loss
Why not CT publish the names of the 27 MPs who has sold their permits sharing the tax revenue defrauded with the car dealers and name and shame these cheats in public. How come deputy Finance Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena defend this day light robbery any more.
Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake rejects the allegations that MP permits have been sold in the open market. Why not CT shows the evidence of sale of permit by Kabeer Hashim. He has said UNP government won’t tolerate corruption and would not provide facilities for thieves and corrupt persons to escape law as was done by Mahinda Rajapakse administration. Kabeer Harish too is listed in this case as the 91st Respondent, with evidence of sale of his permits, demonstrating the unfathomable level of deception of the citizens.
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Sinhala_Man / December 25, 2016
Dear Nagananda Kodituwakku,
Great work. I’ve not congratulated as often as I have felt gratitude to you.
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