In a dramatic turn of events, officials from the Ministry of Plantations and Community Infrastructure intervened to stop the head of the Palm Oil Development Board from allegedly destroying files related to financial fraud allegations against him. The official was reportedly preparing to transport the documents from the board’s Colombo office to Jaffna, where he intended to burn them.
Acting swiftly, the ministry officials arrived at the Colombo office and prevented the removal of the documents. Sources confirmed that the files were subsequently handed over to a responsible officer for safekeeping.
The officer in question, who was recently appointed to a senior position at the board, has been accused of various corruption and fraud charges. According to insiders, the Ministry’s Audit Management Committee had taken action on January 8 to ensure the preservation of these critical documents.
Employees of the Palm Oil Development Board have since written to the Minister of Plantation Industries, expressing concerns over the appointment of the accused official. They claim that he lacks basic educational qualifications and has been implicated in numerous financial scandals.
Additionally, the employees allege that the official is attempting to reinstate a group of individuals previously dismissed after ministerial investigations uncovered nearly Rs. 400 million in financial fraud.
The incident has raised serious questions about governance and accountability within the Palm Oil Development Board, with calls for an immediate and thorough investigation into the alleged corruption and the official’s appointment.
