LGN 2.0 corruption allegations raise fresh questions over SLT, ICTA, EZY Corporation, political influence and missing accountability.
The Dark Side of SLT, ICTA and Digital Infrastructure
LGN 2.0 corruption allegations have resurfaced, exposing claims of massive financial irregularities and political interference behind a nearly Rs. 4 billion state digital infrastructure project.
Information now emerging suggests that the State Network Systems 2 project, known as LGN 2.0, implemented during the Yahapalanaya era in 2017 and 2018, was affected by serious irregularities.
The revelations are based on complaints and personal testimonies already forwarded to the highest responsible authorities, including the President.
According to recorded evidence, serious allegations have been made that the tender for this project was awarded under the direct influence of former Minister of Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure Harin Fernando.
Tender Given to an Inexperienced Company
According to the testimonies, the supplier selected for this massive project was EZY Corporation, a company alleged to have had no previous experience in such system integrations.
The complaints claim the main reason EZY received the tender was the close friendship between the owner of EZY and the then-subject minister.
Although printed contracts are believed to be securely held by the relevant institutions, allegations have been raised that the entire process lacked transparency.
Planned RFP and Israeli Technology
Documents forwarded to the President further state that the Request for Proposals prepared by the Information and Communication Technology Agency was specifically designed to target a particular supplier.
Accordingly, it is reported that the tender was restricted to the Check Point product of an Israeli company.
Internal information also reveals that EZY selected MIT, which competed in the tender, as its sub-contractor for network operations.
Fund Misuse and Contract Changes
Based on internal information and testimonies, an advance payment of Rs. 280 million was reportedly made by ICTA to Telecom, and then by Telecom to EZY.
The complaints make serious allegations that responsible SLT officials fraudulently amended the relevant contract four times.
Those amendments allegedly caused large penalty amounts, which EZY should have paid to Telecom due to service delays, to be forfeited.
Ghost Sites and Mysterious Payments
The most serious allegation surrounding the project concerns the sites said to have been connected to the network.
According to preliminary evidence notes, the lease was determined for only 860 sites.
However, it has now been revealed that in 2019, an additional 5 sites were allegedly installed illegally outside the contract, with payments also made to EZY for them.
According to the computer data note titled “LGN_Loca_5.jpg” received by us, these alleged secret 5 sites are reported to be connected to the President’s Office.
As stated in the evidence note, the sites and their codes are as follows:
President’s Residence – D84765
President Office Branches (Standard Charted Bank Building) – D84758
President Office Branches (SEMA Building) – D84763
President Office Branches (President’s Fund) – D84764
Smallholder Agribusiness Partnerships Programme – D84767
The relevant parties have informed authorities that there is no official record identifying who instructed the installation of these additional 5 sites.
Promotions, Privileges and Luxury Vehicles
Testimonies and documents further reveal that senior management officials who allegedly supported this deal were given promotions under the guise of restructuring Telecom.
Allegations have also been made that even the Chief Executive Officer position was obtained as a result of supporting such irregularities.
Further information has emerged that luxury vehicles leased using institutional funds were provided for the use of politicians.
The Warning About Flight Becomes Reality
Although the Criminal Investigation Department had initiated investigations into these large-scale irregularities, letters sent to the President state that those investigations were later stalled.
A senior SLT official considered a prime suspect in the project has now taken two years of unpaid leave and fled the country.
According to reports, his National Identity Card number is 693041139V, and his passport number is N1283328.
The complaints at the time had warned authorities before his departure that there was a serious risk of the truth behind these multi-billion rupee irregularities being suppressed if he fled the country.
The above article has been compiled based on personal testimonies and documentary evidence.
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SOURCE:- SL LEADER
