A staggering Rs. 1,196 million was invoiced for the renovation of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s official residence, but more than Rs. 550 million worth of those claims may be fraudulent, according to a damning audit by Sri Lanka’s National Audit Office.
The report reveals that the Lanka Building Materials Corporation Limited, the agency responsible for the modernization project of the Fifth Executive President’s residence, submitted invoices totaling Rs. 1,196.25 million. However, vouchers amounting to Rs. 557.03 million were flagged as “incorrectly used,” casting serious doubts over financial accountability.
Authorized by a Cabinet decision dated October 26, 2021, the renovation project had already racked up Rs. 639.22 million in bills by May 14, 2024. What’s more troubling is that the report indicates a significant inflation in the sales value of the corporation implying that the taxpayer money spent may have far exceeded the actual cost of services or materials rendered.
The audit also exposed that architects for the renovation were handpicked without any procurement process or formal contracts, with Rs. 13.07 million paid directly bypassing standard government procedures.
Even more startling is how goods and materials were sourced. The report states that materials were issued and invoiced based on verbal instructions, using purchase orders from 16 pre-selected suppliers without obtaining competitive bids. This blatant disregard for procurement guidelines has raised serious transparency concerns.
In response, the Lanka Building Materials Corporation informed auditors that its Internal Audit Division has been instructed to investigate the matter further and collect institutional-level evidence.
As investigations deepen, questions are swirling around whether this lavish project was another cover for a massive financial scandal and whether those responsible will be held to account.
Always a Rogue,, will eventually be a Rogue 😶🌫️😶🌫️
Still why the CID is not taking action? Namal always ask the government to prove their corruption and why the relevant authorities give chance to these rogues?
NPP lagging in self confidence to take action against culprits who are powerful and wealthy . This is a sad state of affairs nobody is above the law and cannot be treated differently . When there is solid evidence a million dollar question is what more you need .NPP bandwagon lacks people who have the backbone to take action and bring the culprits to book without speculating on their crimes .