The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has launched a probe into 26 companies managing parking lots under the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) which have failed to pay nearly Rs. 27 million in dues to the CMC.
The Municipal Commissioner has called for a report based on a complaint received in this regard and considering the facts of the report and the facts pointed out in the complaint, the Bribery Commission has decided to conduct a full investigation.
According to the Mawbima newspaper, the complaint related to the matter has been filed by the Citizen’s Movement Against Fraud, Corruption, and Waste.
In its complaint, the civil society group points out that the 26 companies were required to settle arrears amounting to approximately Rs. 204,164,110 in 2023 for the parking lots belonging to the CMC, and despite the arrears, those companies have received the management of the parking lots again in 2024.
The complaint further states that as such, the amount of tax arrears owed by those companies to the CMC by the end of April 2024 is approximately Rs. 264,859,471.
Stating that there is no transparency regarding the said transactions, the civil society group had filed a complaint with the Bribery Commission urging for a comprehensive investigation. (Newswire)