Sri Lanka’s Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption has informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court that indictments have been filed in the Colombo High Court against former minister Arjuna Ranatunga and his brother Dhammika Ranatunga over an alleged financial loss of about Rs. 800 million to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC).
The Bribery Commission told the court that the alleged loss occurred through inflated local tenders awarded by the state-owned oil company during the period in question.
Arjuna Ranatunga was serving as Minister of Petroleum at the time, while his brother Dhammika Ranatunga was the Chairman of the CPC, according to court submissions.
Dhammika Ranatunga was arrested in connection with the case and later released on bail, officials said.
Former minister Arjuna Ranatunga is currently overseas, and further legal action is expected once he returns to Sri Lanka.
The case will proceed before the Colombo High Court. (Newswire)