• Government to begin audit of transactions and procedures of the past 

The Ministry of Ports and Shipping stated that findings from investigations into various past irregularities at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) have been referred to the Presidential Secretariat.

It was recently reported that the SLPA, under the current National People's Power Government, has begun investigating various irregularities that took place in the past.

When questioned about the current status of these investigations, the Deputy Minister of Ports and Shipping Janith Ruwan Kodithuwakku told The Daily Morning: “There are investigations currently underway into certain past irregularities at the SLPA. We have referred the findings to the Presidential Secretariat.”

Speaking to The Daily Morning on an earlier occasion, he said that the Government expected to begin a comprehensive audit of earlier transactions and procedures at the SLPA. For instance, he said that there were concerns raised about the actions of a former Managing Director of the SLPA, and added that investigations would be launched into such issues. 

He also said that the Government halted all potentially corrupt or irregular procedures, including tenders, at the SLPA that were ongoing when it took office.

The SLPA was constituted under the provisions of the SLPA Act, No. 51 of 1979 as amended. There are several ports coming under the SLPA's purview, including those in Colombo, Galle, Hambantota, Oluvil, Trincomalee, Point Pedro, and Kankesanthurai.