The Kumara Jayakodi corruption case revealed fresh contradictions in court, including payments for unfinished work and questions over the investigation.
The Kumara Jayakodi corruption case took another dramatic turn in the Colombo High Court on Tuesday (July 15), where witnesses and court proceedings revealed fresh contradictions surrounding an alleged procurement fraud involving more than Rs. 8.8 million at the Lanka Fertilizer Company.
The case, heard before Colombo High Court Judge Rashantha Godawela, centres on allegations filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) against former Minister Kumara Jayakodi.
Jayakodi is accused of causing a loss of Rs. 8,859,708, or more than Rs. 88 lakhs, to the government while serving as Procurement Manager of the Lanka Fertilizer Company in 2014. According to the prosecution, he awarded a contract to private firm D.S. Construction to carpet the company’s warehouse complex without following proper procurement procedures. The court adjourned the case until September 7 for further evidence.
Kumara Jayakodi Corruption Case Raises Procurement Questions
Former Lanka Fertilizer Company Procurement Executive Dipika Dias testified that although the company signed the contract on February 18, 2014, and paid an advance exceeding Rs. 88 lakhs after a formal tender process, the carpeting work was never carried out.
During cross-examination by President’s Counsel Nalinda Indatissa, Dias admitted that she had met Kumara Jayakodi during the company’s internal investigation before giving her statement.
She told the court she obtained information from the accused because she was unaware of certain facts surrounding the procurement process.
Former Finance Manager P. Samarawira also testified during the hearing.
He stated that Jayakodi recommended the advance payment and that the payment would not have proceeded without that recommendation.
However, under cross-examination, Samarawira acknowledged that the Chairman of Lanka Fertilizer Company ultimately approved the payment.
He also confirmed that after the contractor failed to complete the warehouse carpeting, the company recovered the bank guarantee provided by the private contractor.
Judge Questions Scope of Bribery Commission Investigation
The hearing also saw Colombo High Court Judge Rashantha Godawela raise several questions regarding the Bribery Commission’s investigation into the Kumara Jayakodi corruption case.
The judge questioned why investigators had not pursued action against the other four members of the procurement committee that selected the contractor.
In response, Bribery Commission officers maintained that the remaining committee members merely assisted with the procurement process. However, the explanation drew close scrutiny from the court.
Judge Godawela also examined the original contract and pointed to another significant issue.
He observed that the agreement did not specify any deadline for completing the carpeting work. The document also lacked details regarding the advance payment arrangements.
The judge noted that establishing a contractual time frame could be crucial in proving the allegations before the court.
As a result, he directed the Bribery Commission to immediately investigate the missing contractual details and report back to the court.
The Kumara Jayakodi corruption case will now continue on September 7, when further evidence is expected to be presented.
