Commission of Inquiry appointed to investigate irregularities at the Colombo Municipal Council

A Presidential Commission of Inquiry has been appointed to investigate, examine, and report on alleged corruption and irregularities said to have taken place at the Colombo Municipal Council.

Accordingly, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has named former High Court Judge Piyasena Ranasinghe, Chartered Accountant E. R. M. S. H. Ekanayake and former Senior Superintendent of Police D. S. Wickramasinghe as members of the Commission.

The Gazette extraordinary in this regard has been issued under the signature of the Secretary to the President.

The Commission has been mandated to investigate alleged acts of corruption, fraud, criminal breach of trust, and criminal misappropriation of property that are said to have occurred within the Colombo Municipal Council during the period from 2010 to 2025.

According to gazette notification, the Commission of Inquiry has been appointed after numerous complaints and allegations were made pertaining to acts of corruption, fraud, criminal breach of trust, criminal misappropriation of property, deception and the misuse or abuse of power, authority, public resources and privileges, against persons who have held or continue to hold political office, as well as against persons who have served or continue to serve as public officers and officers of statutory bodies, and persons engaged in the provision of goods and services, in connection with all properties, including lands and buildings, belonging to the Colombo Municipal Council.

The Commission has been empowered to conduct criminal or forensic investigations into the complaints and submit an interim report within three months.

The President has directed the Commission to submit a report on a monthly basis after the initial interim report and also the final report containing the conclusions of the inquiries and investigations, and recommendations within six months from the date of appointment.