A major corruption probe from Sri Lanka’s oil sector has resurfaced, with investigators moving against a former top official over alleged tender cancellations that reportedly cost the country hundreds of millions of rupees.
As reported earlier by The Morning Telegraph, former Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Dhammika Ranatunga was arrested today (15) by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.
The arrest relates to an ongoing investigation into allegations surrounding the cancellation of three long-term fuel procurement tenders scheduled for the 2017 to 2018 period, during the tenure of the then Minister of Petroleum.
According to investigators, the cancelled tenders were replaced with sudden fuel purchases at significantly higher prices, resulting in a financial loss of nearly Rs. 800 million to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. Authorities believe the procurement decisions violated standard tender procedures and raised serious questions about accountability in fuel procurement.
Dhammika Ranatunga is scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, where further legal proceedings are expected.
