Lawsuit against Sajin Vaas over Mihin Lanka deal

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday (16) filed a case against former Member of Parliament and former Chief Executive Officer of Mihin Lanka Airlines, Mr. Sajin Vaas Gunawardena, before the Colombo High Court. He has been accused of violating tender procedures and acquiring aircraft and crew in a manner that caused losses to state funds.

The Bribery Commission filed this case against Mr. Sajin Vaas Gunawardena, a resident of Green Path, Colombo 08, alleging that while serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Mihin Lanka Airlines in 2007, he committed the offense of 'corruption' as defined in the Bribery Act by causing losses to the government.

The Bribery Commission alleges that the defendant, while serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Mihin Lanka Airlines during the period from January 01 to December 31, 2007, submitted tender documents to the Board of Directors with the intention of gaining an advantage for himself or another party, without following proper tender procedures for obtaining an A-320-200 type aircraft and its crew on a lease basis.

It is stated that his actions resulted in benefits to 'Best Air Line' airline. Furthermore, the defendant has been accused of causing a loss to the government by entering into an agreement with 'Best Air Line' airline on March 09, 2007, while serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Mihin Lanka, to pay a "per diem" allowance of US$ 267,100/- for an A-321-131 type aircraft and its crew. The Bribery Commission states that this act also constitutes the offense of "corruption" as defined under the Bribery Act.

The Bribery Commission has filed this case against the defendant under four charges for violating Section 70 of the Bribery Act No. 11, as amended by Act No. 20 of 1994.