A former Secretary to the Ministry of Cooperatives and Internal Trade has been arrested by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over alleged corruption in the procurement of chairs for the Mahinda Rajapaksa Auditorium in Polgolla.
The suspect was arrested at approximately 9.45 a.m. today (02) by investigating officers of the Commission.
According to the Bribery Commission, the arrest relates to allegations that, during the procurement of chairs for the auditorium, the former Ministry Secretary had facilitated the purchase from a different private company instead of selecting the company that had submitted the lowest bid while meeting the required standards.
The alleged actions are said to have caused a financial loss of Rs. 7,97 million to the government while conferring an undue benefit on an external party.
The suspect has been accused of committing the offence of corruption in connection with the procurement process.
He is scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court.
