#GarlicScam : Four Sathosa workers remanded

by Zulfick Farzan 12-10-2021 | 2:16 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); Four officers attached to Lanka Sathosa were remanded until the 14th of October after they were arrested by the CID on Monday (11) for their links to the Garlic Scam.

The suspects were produced to Wattala Magistrate Heshan De Mel.

Counsel for the suspects requested bail, however, the CID opposed the move citing that they are denied bail until the investigations are over.

A Deputy General Manager (Purchasing) at Lanka Sathosa, A Senior Manager (Supplies) at Lanka Sathosa, and two Managers (Wholesale) at the Sathosa Welisara Stores were arrested by the CID on Monday (11).

#GarlicScam

On the 09th of September 2021, the Consumer Affairs Authority carried out a surprise inspection on imported essential food items.

This raid took place following a tip from a Sathosa employee noting that an illegal transaction was taking place at the Sathosa warehouse in Welisara, where 56,000 kilograms of garlic were released without an invoice.

The #GarlicScam has taken place by using the provisions of the Cabinet Decision taken on the 07th of June to release goods held at ports to Lanka Sathosa.

The #GarlicScam was tipped off by a Sathosa employee, revealed Rear Admiral (Retd) Ananda Peiris, the Chairman of Lanka Sathosa on the 27th of September.

According to the Consumer Affairs Authority investigations, perpetrators had sold a kilogram of garlic to the businessman for Rs. 135/-, however, at that time the price per kilogram of garlic in the Lanka Sathosa Database was listed at Rs. 355/-.

56,000 kilograms of Garlic was sold off in such a manner.