CIABOC to probe 2012-13 Deyata Kirula exhibitions

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has decided to launch an inquiry into alleged financial irregularities and corruption linked to the Deyata Kirula exhibitions held in Anuradhapura in 2012 and Ampara in 2013.

The inquiry follows a complaint lodged by the Citizens’ Power Against Bribery, Corruption, and Waste organisation, which alleged that public funds had been misappropriated during the organisation and implementation of the two exhibitions. According to the complaint, the Deyata Kirula exhibition held in Oyamaduwa, Anuradhapura, in 2012, had received nearly Rs. 990 million from multiple sources, including Treasury allocations, funds for the construction of a paddy storage facility, allocations from the Environment Ministry and contributions from statutory bodies. 

However, the organisation claimed that only Rs. 733.8 million in expenditure had been properly accounted for, leaving approximately Rs. 256 million unaccounted for. It further alleged that income generated from between 400 and 600 stalls operating at the exhibition had not been fully recorded, and claimed that nearly Rs. 500 million may have been embezzled in relation to the 2012 event. Similar allegations were raised regarding the 2013 Deyata Kirula exhibition held in Ampara. The complaint stated that the event received Rs. 130 million from the Treasury and Rs. 157 million from statutory bodies. 

Although Rs. 10.9 million in income from stall rentals and entertainment leases had been recorded, the organisation alleged that income from around 500 other stalls, estimated at approximately Rs. 25 million, had not been accounted for. It claimed that around Rs. 200 million may have been misappropriated in connection with the Ampara exhibition. Overall, the organisation alleged that close to Rs. 700 million may have been embezzled across the two exhibitions. It also claimed that irregularities had taken place in the leasing of stalls and the awarding of contracts based on personal and political affiliations.

Source - The Morning