By Roy Denish.
A beachfront land deal, a suspected US$5 million bribe and the sugar tax scandal are now converging in a widening probe into alleged corporate patronage, political favours and luxury influence at the highest levels of power.
Investigators are widening a corruption probe into allegations that corporate influence, political patronage and luxury perks were used to secure major State favours linked to prime beachfront property at Galle Face.
The investigation centres on Sajad Mowzoon, a director of Pyramid Wilmar, who is facing renewed scrutiny over claims that he acted as a political “sugar daddy” by allegedly channelling millions of dollars in benefits to powerful government figures.
According to anti-corruption briefs, Mowzoon is alleged to have used corporate wealth to fund lavish hospitality, luxury perks, private campaign strategy sessions and major political events at Colombo’s oceanfront Shangri-La hotel complex.
The alleged beneficiaries reportedly included former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and members of his close political circle.
Investigators are examining whether these benefits formed part of a wider network of influence designed to secure favourable treatment from the State.
Luxury Perks And Political Access Under Scrutiny
Watchdogs allege that the relationship between corporate power and political leadership created a mutually beneficial arrangement.
They claim that luxury hospitality and political support were allegedly provided in return for influence over key State decisions.
The focus of the probe is whether such benefits helped open doors for major concessions involving valuable public assets and policy decisions.
Shangri-La Land Deal Back In Focus
One of the central issues under review is the controversial Shangri-La land transaction involving prime beachfront property at Galle Face.
Investigators are reportedly examining whether a suspected US$5 million bribery scheme was connected to the procurement and approval of the luxury hotel land deal.
The property, located in one of Colombo’s most valuable commercial zones, has long remained a politically sensitive issue because of its strategic and financial importance.
Sugar Tax Scandal Also Linked To Probe
Authorities are also reviewing possible connections between the alleged corporate patronage network and the separate 2020 sugar tax scandal.
That scandal involved a dramatic tax reduction on sugar imports, which critics alleged caused billions of rupees in lost State revenue while benefiting selected importers.
Watchdogs claim the two controversies may point to a broader pattern of corporate access, political favour and questionable public decision-making.
Financial Records And Hotel Logs Being Audited
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption is reportedly examining banking records, State land allocation files and hotel records connected to the case.
Investigators are attempting to trace the alleged flow of corporate financing, identify who benefited from it and determine whether any public decision was influenced by improper payments or hospitality.
Hotel logs, event records, transaction trails and official land documents are expected to play a key role in establishing whether the allegations can be supported by evidence.
Accused Parties Deny Wrongdoing
Representatives connected to the former administration and Pyramid Wilmar have consistently denied wrongdoing.
They have described the allegations as politically motivated and without foundation.
No finding of guilt has been made, and the allegations remain subject to investigation.
However, anti-corruption campaigners say the scale of the claims, the value of the land involved and the possible loss of public revenue make the matter one of serious public interest.
Probe Raises Wider Questions
The expanding investigation now raises broader questions about the relationship between corporate wealth and political power in Sri Lanka.
At issue is whether luxury access, campaign support and private benefits were used to influence State policy and public asset decisions.
For investigators, the challenge will be to establish whether the alleged benefits were merely political hospitality or part of a deeper bribery network connected to some of the country’s most controversial economic decisions.
