News
CIABOC decides to probe complaint against Speaker
View(s):- Simultaneously, CIABOC will investigate Parliament’s suspended official
By Ranjith Padmasiri
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has decided to initiate a probe into a complaint lodged by Parliament’s suspended Deputy Secretary General Chaminda Kularatne against Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne.
The Sunday Times learns that the CIABOC has also decided to investigate a complaint lodged by an individual named R. Kannan, who accuses Mr Kularatne of committing the offence of corruption. He has claimed that the procedure whereby Mr Kularatne was appointed Deputy Secretary General of Parliament was wrong.
The two complaints were considered when the Commission met on Thursday. Accordingly, instructions were given for the CIABOC’s Director General to begin investigations into both the complaints.
As a first step, the Commission is to request Parliament for documents related to the two complaints. After analysing the relevant documents, statements will be recorded from both Speaker Wickramaratne and Mr Kularatne.
Mr Kularatne was suspended by Parliament’s Staff Advisory Committee (SAC), chaired by Speaker Wickramaratne, following an internal inquiry. The inquiry, conducted by former administrative official S.K. Liyanage, determined that Mr Kularatne had not met the necessary criteria to be Deputy Secretary General and that the procedure whereby he was appointed to the post was flawed.
Following his suspension, Mr Kularatne filed a complaint with CIABOC accusing the Speaker of engaging in a series of acts of corruption.
Meanwhile, Speaker Wickramaratne’s Private Secretary Chameera Gallage has called for a report from Parliament’s Secretary General regarding information contained in the complaint filed by Mr Kularatne. Opposition MPs have raised concerns over the move, arguing that it could interfere with the CIABOC’s probe.
Mr Kularatne’s complaint against Speaker Wickramaratne levels eight allegations against him. The specific allegations are illegally obtaining two fuel allowances; misuse of official vehicles; misuse of parliamentary media equipment; obtaining meals from Parliament without paying the relevant charges; illegally appointing an investigating officer, paying him from parliamentary funds and providing him meals at Parliament’s expense; misuse of two official residences; obstructing the release of information under the Right to Information Act; and illegal interference with the administration of Parliament staff.
(See also the Sunday Times Political Column.)
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