Ex-Prez, Treasury Secy, and Sathosa Chairman to be questioned over Rs 16 bn sugar tax scam

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) probing the alleged sugar tax scam perpetrated in Oct 2020 is expected to question the then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle and Sathosa Chairman Nushad Perera.

Sources said that MP Bandula Gunawardane who served as the trade minister when then Treasury Secretary Attygalle brought down duty on a kilo of imported white sugar from Rs 50 to 25 cents on Oct 13, 2020 was questioned by the CIABOC on Wednesday (11).

Declaring that he hadn’t been involved in the unprecedented duty reduction, the incumbent media and transport Minister Gunawardane has told investigators President Gotabaya Rajapaksa issued instructions in that regard.

CIABOC sought a statement from lawmaker Gunawardane in the wake of him declaring in parliament on Dec 09 that President Gotabaya Rajapaka disregarded his advice not to reduce the duty on imported sugar. The minister alleged in parliament that the President acted in the interests of those who were near and dear to him.

Minister Gunawardane never contradicted what he said in parliament, sources said, while referring to the statement recorded by the CIABOC.State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya has told parliament that 30 percent of Rs 16 bn loss caused by sharp drop in duty could be recovered though the process would take time.

The CIABOC has so far recorded over 30 statements in connection with the ongoing investigation. The then Presidential Secretary Dr. P.B.J. Jayasundera was among them.The CIABOC initiated the probe following complaints lodged by Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, SJB MP Mayantha Dissanayake and Attorney-at-Law Nagananda Kodituwakku.