• Major fraud cases referred to CIABOC and CID 

Corruption and irregularities at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) are being acted upon, with major fraud cases referred to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for legal action, Deputy Ports Minister Janith Ruwan Kodithuwakku said yesterday (1 March).

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Kodithuwakku said the Ports Ministry has adopted a two-pronged approach in addressing allegations uncovered during internal inquiries.

Officials implicated in serious fraud and corruption will face criminal investigations and possible prosecution, while certain employees who were influenced by circumstances but are now complying with proper procedures will be dealt with through administrative measures.

“We have appointed internal committees and conducted investigations. However, we do not have the authority to carry out criminal investigations or impose legal penalties. That is why the information we receive is referred to institutions such as the CIABOC and the CID,” he said.

He explained that disciplinary action was nevertheless taken internally against employees of the SLPA found responsible for wrongdoing. “In some cases, we issue warning letters. In certain instances, we dismiss employees. But, we cannot impose heavy punishments or simply take away a person’s job in every situation. There are employees who have had to do certain things according to the circumstances of that time, sometimes to protect their jobs. People change under our Government. They are now performing their duties properly within the system."

Kodithuwakku stressed however that the authorities continued to maintain a firm stance against individuals who have been implicated in large-scale corruption and irregularities and have failed to change their conduct. “We take strict action against officials who committed major fraud and corruption, and we are still tough on those who have not corrected themselves,” he added.

Early last year (2025), it was reported the Government had halted all potentially corrupt or irregular procedures, including several procurement and tender processes that were underway at the SLPA when the current administration assumed office. Kodithuwakku said at the time that several non-transparent and incomplete tenders, particularly those connected to the East Container Terminal, including carrier procurements, had been immediately suspended and restarted after technical evaluation committees identified shortcomings. He added that the Government expected to begin a comprehensive audit of past transactions and procedures at the SLPA within about a month. "Certain matters, including concerns raised regarding the actions of a former Managing Director, have already been referred to the CID for investigation," he said, and noted that several irregularities had surfaced through reports of the Auditor General's Department and the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises.