“Finance Ministry blamed for ignoring Rs.3.922 billion VAT fraud”

(November, 30, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) submitted a report to Parliament yesterday (29 Nov) which made startling revelations of massive frauds on Vat refunds running into many billions of rupees (Rs. 3.922 billion)!

The Finance Ministry was accused of having not taken any action despite being reported. Many relevant files (183 out of 235) have gone underground because of the Ministry’s slack attitude even towards conducting an internal investigation!

The report insists on the present Commissioner General of Inland Revenue Dept. (IRD), Wijepala, being relieved of his duties until the investigations are over.

In the meanwhile, the trade Unions of the IRD have also blamed the Govt. for its lethargy to take action against the IRD Chief.

Meanwhile, former Deputy Mayor and UNP Councillor Azad Sally addressing a Media briefing at the UNP Media unit today (30Nov) said Allah’s curse will be with those Muslim MPs who vote in favour of the budget after knowing the abductions, extortions and murders this Govt. committed on the Muslim businessmen. Speaking further, he revealed the complete breakdown in administration, rules and regulations in the Municipal Council due to the corrupt and high handed activities of the Municipal Commissioner allegedly with the President’s connivance.

He said, the Commissioner is depriving the Council of its revenue, and siphoning them for the most nefarious purposes whereby the Council is denied its funds for the development of public amenities and Municipal Council activities towards ratepayers’ welfare. He referred to so many hoardings erected even overriding Court orders; firstly using them for Govt. cheap publicity .Later, the Military Heroes’ pictures are removed, and they are replaced with advertisements manipulated by the Commissioner and Govt. henchmen. He also distributed a letter in this connexion of Bharatha Lakshman, one of the countless Presidential advisors, received by the CMC giving instructions for another hoarding racket contravening all regulations thereto.

Referring to the recent abductions, extortions and murders of Muslim businessmen, he blamed the 18 Muslim MPs for turning a blind eye. Two Moratuwa Sinhalese businessmen too who went to Eravur a few days ago are missing with no arrests made. Of what use is a Govt. which has lost its capacity to maintain law and order in the country? He asked. People can rule themselves instead, and even better, for there will be less corruption and wastages of people’s money, he exhorted.

Dwelling further on the rampant corruption of the Govt. he asserted that there is another move to give over 6 ½ acres land at Baseline Road ,belonging to the slaughter house to a Company , which has been declared as a ‘failed Co.’ for housing projects. ‘You can understand the obvious malicious and corrupt content in this move’, he concluded.