Fresh corruption allegations shake a local council as opposition members demand urgent probes into contract payments allegedly diverted into personal bank accounts.
The opposition group of the Gampaha Pradeshiya Sabha has filed a written complaint with the Western Provincial Governor and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, calling for an immediate investigation into alleged financial irregularities involving several members of the council.
The complaint was submitted by Anton Chaminda, Boniface Kumarapelli, Shiroma Malkanti, Ruwani Lakshika, Shamali Priyanka, and Nilakshi Madhushani, all representing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.
According to the letter, although council staff and the police were capable of clearing fallen trees during a recent disaster, public funds were instead paid to external private parties. The MPs say this violates Section 219 of the Pradeshiya Sabha Act No. 15 of 1987.
The complaint also alleges that a JCB machine was obtained following the proposal of one member, but payments were made to a different institution. In another instance involving a backhoe used to bury dead chickens, the actual owner was not paid, while approvals were issued in the name of a member.
The MPs further claim that rates higher than approved district prices were paid, with inaccurate meter hours recorded. They stress that serious financial misuse occurred through payments credited to personal accounts.
When contacted, S.A.N.P. Suraweera, Secretary of the council, stated that all payments have been confirmed.
