Sources at the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) report that a full investigation has commenced into the property and assets of former Energy Minister Eng. Kumara Jayakody and Deputy Minister of Public Security Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala.
Discrepancies have reportedly been observed when comparing earlier declarations of assets and liabilities made by the two politicians against the latest declarations submitted. The Commission has noted that broad scrutiny and further legal inquiries are required to confirm the newly added additional assets, their legal sources, and the manner in which they were acquired. It is also stated that these measures are being carried out independently under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
Key Points
- The investigation was launched due to discrepancies found during the comparison of asset and liability declarations.
- Inquiries are operating independently under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
- The move stems from a complaint lodged in September by civil rights activist Jamuni Kamantha Thushara de Silva.
- Kumara Jayakody recently appeared before the Presidential Commission probing coal procurement transactions following a notice.
The complaint and selected files
The background to these investigations developed in September, when civil rights activist Jamuni Kamantha Thushara de Silva submitted a written complaint to the Bribery Commission. That complaint reportedly targeted six government stalwarts, including Cabinet Ministers Bimal Rathnayake, Wasantha Samarasinghe, Sunil Handunnetti, and Nalinda Jayatissa.
However, based on findings from preliminary inquiries conducted into the group, it is reported that only the files of Kumara Jayakody and Sunil Watagala have been selected for a full-scale investigation at this stage.
Another inquiry into coal procurement
In addition to the ongoing inquiries into his assets, former Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody is also facing another legal proceeding.
This comes following a notice issued to him by the Presidential Commission investigating coal procurement transactions. In compliance with the notice, he recently appeared before the commission to present submissions.
