Colombo, September 17, Sri Lanka Brief – The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has arrested senior Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) figure Renuka Perera in connection with an investigation into the alleged unlawful issuance of passenger transport permits for the Southern Expressway.
According to CIABOC, the investigation centres on allegations that Perera, while serving as Chairman of the National Transport Commission (NTC), unlawfully granted 56 Southern Expressway passenger service permits to third parties without following procedures stipulated under the National Transport Commission Act. Investigators further allege that mandatory licence fees were not properly collected, causing financial losses to the State while providing undue benefits to private operators.
Officials told court that the permits had been issued contrary to existing Cabinet decisions and established regulatory procedures governing long-distance passenger transport services. Following his arrest, Perera was produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, which ordered that he be remanded pending further investigations.
Renuka Perera is a prominent figure within the SLPP, serving as the party’s Managing Secretary. Over the years, he has held several high-profile positions in state institutions, including:
- Managing Secretary of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)
- Former Chairman of the National Transport Commission (NTC)
- Former Chairman of Milco (Pvt) Ltd
- Former Chairman of Litro Gas Lanka
- Former Chairman of the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA)
His arrest is the latest in a series of corruption investigations being pursued by authorities as the Government steps up inquiries into allegations involving former state officials and politically connected figures.
CIABOC has stated that further investigations are continuing, while prosecutors are expected to present additional evidence regarding the alleged irregularities surrounding the issuance of Southern Expressway bus permits. The allegations remain before the courts and have yet to be judicially determined. [dailymirror.lk], [newsfirst.lk], [hirunews.lk]