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COPE examines highway robberies at SLTB in 2018
Corruption: Spotlight on state-run bus service
It has been revealed at the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) that the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) spent Rs. 89 million in excess of the amount of funds allocated for the purchase of computers in 2018.
The SLTB had planned to purchase 139 computers and 74 laptops for the year 2018 at an estimated cost of Rs. 15,290,000, but acquired 800 computers and 47 laptops at a cost of Rs. 113,303,750. As a result, a staggering Rs. 89,977,500 was spent on the purchase of computers in 2018, in excess of the amount allocated through the General Accounts of the Transport Board, the COPE revealed.
This disclosure was made at the COPE meeting chaired by Prof. Charitha Herath, Member of Parliament. The Committee met on Wednesday (06) to examine the Auditor General’s Reports for the years 2017 and 2018 and its current performance in Parliament.
The COPE chairman expressed his displeasure at spending so much of money without following due process. Condemning the practice, he said that an institution which was supposed to serve the ordinary people, spending money in that manner could not be justified on any grounds. It was also disclosed that an agreement had been entered into with a private company to purchase equipment required to main tain the system required for cameras and GPS for 125 luxury buses at a cost of Rs. 33,628,840 . However, all except for a few of the devices were not working properly. Officials present at the Committee said that the employees of those buses had deliberately damaged the equipment and that an investigation was being carried out. The officials also promised to submit a report as soon as the investigation was completed. They said that if the warranty period had not expired, measures would be taken to get all equipment not in working condition repaired by the relevant company.
Attention was also drawn to the fact that the bank loan of Rs. 150,000,000 obtained on 24 December 2018 without the Minister of Finance approval. The COPE chairman pointed out that such a loan amount could not be obtained by a few officials. Therefore, COPE recommended that immediate action be taken in that regard.
The COPE also questioned the officials present regarding the SLTB’s failure to present the annual reports for the years 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 in Parliament. Officials pointed out that there were some concerns regarding printing during that period. However, the annual reports for 2017 and 2018 had already been submitted to the Ministry, officials said. Accordingly, the COPE ordered that all those reports be tabled in Parliament before 31 December.
According to the procurement plan for the year 2018, 1000 electronic bus ticket machines were to be purchased at a cost of Rs. 35 million with the approval of the Board of Directors. However, in the same year, Rs. 75,900,000 was spent on 2000 electronic bus ticket machines. Accordingly, 1000 electronic bus ticket machines were purchased without approval, and the COPE noted that those machines had not met the intended objectives. Therefore, it was recommended that a report be submitted to the COPE within a month in that regard.
Also discussed were the issues of several posts in the Board of Directors, the 5,921 buses in operation, the number of buses currently out of service and 2,742 buses which are 10 years old.
Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, State Minister D. V. Chanaka, Members of Parliament Rauff Hakeem, Jagath Pushpakumara, Madhura Withanage, and Premnath C. Dolawatte were present at the meeting. Member of Parliament (Dr.) Harsha de Silva and other officials joined the meeting via zoom technology. The Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and other officials of the Sri Lanka Transport Board were also in attendance at the meeting.
Three Sri Lankan male passengers who arrived from Muscat by flight no. OV 437 on Saturday (24) have been arrested by officers attached to the NCU at BIA as they were found to be carrying 12,306 grams of Cannabis class narcotics (suspected as Hashish & Kush) valued at 123 million rupees.
Building on its success in seizing major narcotic stocks in 2025, the Navy continued to support the “A Nation United” National Mission in 2026. In continuation of these efforts, during an
operation conducted on the high seas south of Sri Lanka, the Navy apprehended eleven (11) suspects aboard two local multi-day fishing trawlers suspected of drug smuggling.
Based on shared information, by the Sri Lanka Navy and Police, this special operation was conducted off the southern coast, deploying the Navy‟s Offshore Patrol Vessels. The operation
resulted in the interception of a multi-day fishing trawler suspected of smuggling narcotics, and the apprehension of five (05) suspects on board.
During further operations in the same area, naval units seized another multi-day fishing trawler (01), along with communication equipment and six (06) additional suspects, also believed to be involved in drug smuggling.
This morning (25 Jan 26), the two intercepted fishing trawlers, along with fourteen (14) sacks laden with suspected narcotics and the suspects, were brought to the Dikovita Fisheries Harbour.
An expert examination by the Police Narcotic Bureau confirmed that the fourteen (14) sacks contained more than 184 kilograms of heroin and over 112 kilograms of ‘Ice’ (crystal methamphetamine).
The Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara, the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, and the Inspector General of Police, Priyantha Weerasuriya, inspected the narcotics at the Dikovita harbour.
The Deputy Minister of Defence said that the current administration has initiated several projects for national development. As a flagship initiative, under the directives and guidance of the President, and under the supervision of the
Ministry of Defence, well-coordinated anti-narcotic raids have been launched.
This effort, part of “A Nation United” National Mission, involves the tri-forces, police, and all intelligence agencies working together under a coordinated plan to ensure that drug smugglers have no opportunity to bring narcotics into the country, he opined. He further stated that despite the national disaster situation, the state machinery, including the tri-forces, the police, and the public at large, remains united in rebuilding the nation, no room will be left for drug trafficking, which poses a severe threat to national security and public safety. Those
who engage in or support drug trafficking, under the cover of fishing activities, will find no escape, he added.
The Deputy Minister also reaffirmed that the tri-forces, police, and all law enforcement agencies are fully committed to their duty of suppressing this menace.
The Deputy Minister of Defence reported that, throughout 2025, a series of highly successful operations were conducted leading to numerous arrests. This was achieved through close coordination and mutual cooperation among the tri-services, the police, the Special Task Force, Police Narcotics Bureau, local law enforcement and international agencies. He noted that this
same spirit of cooperation and commitment has continued into 2026, resulting in the seizure of a large stockpile of drugs.
On behalf of the Honourable President, he extended gratitude to all who contributed to these efforts, specifically acknowledging the Commander of the Navy, the Inspector General of Police, the Police Narcotic Bureau, and the crews of the Navy’s Offshore
Patrol Vessels.
Moreover, the Deputy Minister declared that drug smuggling has become a national crisis, fueled by youth involvement and social crime. With borders secured under the “Nation United” National Mission, he warned traffickers to cease operations and urged users to abandon the destructive habit.
The Deputy Minister urged the public to report suspected drug smugglers to law enforcement via the hotlines 1818 or 1997 and also commended the role of media institutions and journalists in raising public awareness about the dangers of narcotics through responsible reporting.
Meanwhile, the two (02) multi-day fishing trawlers, along with a haul of narcotics, eleven (11) suspects, and communication equipment, were handed over to the Police Narcotic Bureau for
further investigation and legal proceedings.
The Indonesian Naval Ship ‘KRI SULTAN ISKANDAR MUDA – 367’, which arrived in Sri Lanka for logistics replenishment and a goodwill mission, departed the island on 23 Jan 26.
The Sri Lanka Navy bade a customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the stay in Sri Lanka, crew members of the ship visited some popular tourist destinations within the city of Colomb
Three arrested with narcotics valued at Rs123 million at BIA
Navy intercepts 02 narcotics-laden trawlers with 11 suspects in southern seas
Indonesian Naval Ship ‘KRI SULTAN ISKANDAR MUDA – 367’ departs island
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