It is reported that a complaint has been made to the Bribery Commission against the new Chief Justice Mohan Peiris.
The ‘Voice of Anti-Corruption (VAC)’ made the complaint today (15th) evening stating Mr. Mohan Peiris was directly involved in a financial fraud and asking the Bribery Commission to investigate.
Speaking to the media the convener of Voice of Anti-Corruption (VAC) Wasanthe Samarasinghe said his organization handed over details regarding a financial fraud that amounts to Rs.75 million carried out by Mr. Mohan Peiris while he was the Attorney General.
He said Mr. Mohan Peiris appeared for a case No. FR 308 in 2008 filed by Royal Fernhood claiming that the government had overcharged the company and asking the charges to be reduced.
When the case was called on 07.11.2008 he had asked for a mention of the case stating it was necessary to have a discussion with the Director of Customs. The case was put off till 03.12.2008. Meanwhile, Mr. Mohan Peiris was appointed the Attorney General.
The real amount that should be paid by the company was Rs.75.8 million. However, the Attorney General sends a letter to the Director of Customs asking him to settle the case charging Rs. 2.6 million. He, as the Attorney General, instructs the Director of Customs not to charge nearly Rs.75 million that the government should receive. As such he is directly involved in the financial fraud. Mr. Samarasinghe said an investigation should be carried out regarding this fraud and asked how such a person could be appointed as the chief justice.
LT