Colombo — Sri Lanka’s Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court that indictments have been filed in the Colombo High Court against former Minister of Petroleum Arjuna Ranatunga and his brother Dhammika Ranatunga over an alleged financial loss of approximately Rs. 800 million to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC).
According to submissions made by the Bribery Commission, the alleged loss occurred as a result of inflated local tenders awarded by the state-owned oil company during the relevant period.
At the time of the alleged offences, Arjuna Ranatunga was serving as the Minister of Petroleum, while his brother Dhammika Ranatunga held the position of Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, the Commission informed the court.
Dhammika Ranatunga was arrested in connection with the case and was later released on bail, officials confirmed.
The former minister, Arjuna Ranatunga, is currently overseas, and authorities stated that further legal action is expected upon his return to Sri Lanka.
The case is scheduled to proceed before the Colombo High Court, where the indictments will be taken up for hearing in due course.
