Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne has denied allegations raised in Parliament claiming a conflict of interest involving companies linked to him securing major government contracts.
The allegations were made by Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Prasad Siriwardhana, who claimed that two companies – Omobio (Pvt) Ltd and Eimsky Business Solutions (Pvt) Ltd – in which Weeraratne holds shares and previously served as Chairman, had obtained key contracts related to national digital transport and tolling systems.
According to the MP, these companies were involved in projects linked to the digitisation of transport services and the Smart Highway Tolling System under the Road Development Authority, including backend system operations and payment processing services. He alleged that this amounted to a clear conflict of interest, as the Digital Ministry oversees such initiatives.
Responding in Parliament, Deputy Minister Weeraratne acknowledged that he holds shares in the companies but stressed that he is no longer involved in their management and does not serve as CEO or Chairman. He further stated that the contracts in question had been awarded several years before he assumed duties as Deputy Minister.
He also told Parliament that he has directed the company not to engage in any new business with the government or apply for government tenders following his appointment.
“If anyone claims these contracts were secured using my political position, that is completely false,” Weeraratne stated, rejecting the allegations of corruption.
The matter also drew comments from opposition MP Ajith P. Perera, who said the issue raises serious legal and ethical concerns, referring to past legal precedents where MPs had lost their seats due to holding financial interests in companies engaged in contracts with the government at the time of nomination. (Newswire)