PRECIFAC to summon ex-Govt. officials over Hambantota Port opening ceremony

By Shanika Sriyananda

Several top officials of the former Government are to be be summoned before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power (PRECIFAC) in the next few days over the alleged misuse of funds released for the opening ceremony of the Hambantota Port.  

The funds were initially released for the water filling ceremony and opening of the Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port (MMRP) in Hambantota in 2010. The PRECIFAC investigations were launched on a complaint alleging misuse of Rs. 113 million or the water filling and opening ceremonies of the Port.

A spokesman for the commission told Daily FT the initial Police investigations had been completed recently and summons would be sent to those who were involved in the allegation.

Among them are some ministers of the previous regime and popular artistes who took part in the opening ceremony, he said.

The former Minister and MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena was earlier questioned by PRECIFAC Police investigators as he was Ports and Highways Project Minister during former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s tenure.

Popular artist Jackson Anthony, dancers and choreographers Channa and Upuli Wijewardene were among those who were also questioned by Police.

The spokesman said that those who would receive summons would be called before PRECIFAC Commissioners, which includes High Court Judges Padman Surasena, Vikum Kaluarachchi, Gihan Kulatunga and former Auditor General B.A. Premathilake at the next public hearing at the BMICH.

The Police investigations were led by ASP Lalith Abeysekara and assisted by Chief Inspector Geethika Bodhipaksa.

The first phase of the port was ceremonially opened by then President Rajapaksa on 18 November 2010. The total estimated cost of construction was $ 361 million for the first phase with 85% of the total cost funded as a loan by the EXIM Bank of China.