SJB Youth Movement lodges complaint with Bribery Commission on alleged sugar fraud

• MP Mayantha Dissanayake demands PCoI
• Says losses to govt. estimated to be over Rs. 11 b
• Likens sugar fraud to bond scam

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya Youth Movement yesterday lodged a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Bribery or Corruption, demanding a full investigation into the alleged sugar fraud that is estimated to have cost the government over Rs. 11 billion.

Filing the complaint, Samagi Tharuna Balawegaya Chairman MP Mayantha Dissanayake stated that, in addition to the bribery investigation, a Presidential Commission of Inquiry should also be appointed to probe every aspect of the alleged fraud and the persons involved in it. 

Samagi Tharuna Balawegaya Propaganda Secretary Rasika Jayakody, National Organiser Chamith Wijesundera and Attorney-at-Law Madhawa Jayawardena, were present to file the complaint.

“Approximately 75,000 MT of sugar has been imported to the country by a powerful businessman after the import tax on sugar was reduced to 25 cents per kilogram. Several other consignments of sugar are still arriving. Despite the drastic reduction of taxes, sugar prices in the market did not see a significant change. The state-owned Sathosa purchased sugar at higher prices and sold to the public at Rs. 85 per kilogram. On the surface, we can see a suspicious deal behind the sudden influx of sugar into the country after the reduction of taxes. We suspect that some wheeler-dealers affiliated with the government derived large profits from this deal,” Dissanayake said. 

“The impact of the alleged sugar fraud was two-fold. On the one hand, it deprived the government of a staggering amount of tax revenue. According to our calculations, this amounts to Rs. 11 billion. On the other hand, it burdened our consumers, depriving them of the relief given by the reduction of the import tax on sugar. So, both the government and the public paid a heavy price for the alleged fraud. 

“We urged the Bribery Commission to probe the involvement for former Sathosa Chairman Nushad Perera’s involvement in this and his connection with Sajad Mowzoon, the owner of the company which imported sugar. When we raised the matter in Parliament, no member of the ruling party came out with a proper answer.” 

Dissanayake said the alleged sugar fraud was similar to the Treasury Bonds scam which took place under the Yahapalanaya government. 

“At least President Sirisena appointed a Presidential Commission to investigate the scam, and legal proceedings were initiated based on the report. We hope President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has the backbone to investigate the corruption allegation faced by his own officials and supporters,” he added. 

Dissanayake said the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, as the main opposition, will continue to monitor the progress of the bribery investigation. 

“Our struggle will not stop here. We will continue to raise this issue in Parliament and demand answers. This staggering deal should not be brushed under the carpet. Everyone involved in this deal, irrespective of their positions or allegiance, should be brought to justice.”