Sunday Leader 12th August 2012
The alleged threat on the life of a public servant who fought corruption led to his resignation, it’s learnt.
This man had allegedly estimated that 70 kilometres of rail track on a line in Jaffna to be developed would cost US$ ($) 500,000 a km. He had accordingly allegedly ordered the required equipment with money passed by the Treasury to get this work done.
But when the ship bringing in the necessary items was sailing to Sri Lanka, he had then allegedly been pressured to accept an Indian line of credit for the same job where the cost was five times that amount, at $ 2.5 million a km., which, however he had refused to approve.Upon his refusal, his life had then allegedly been threatened, forcing him to throw in the towel.
But, according to reports, if the Indian line of credit is expensive, the Chinese line of credit for similar works which are also being executed is much more expensive.
However that may be, it’s alleged that this man is now disillusioned with the current administration with which he had previously reposed confidence on (see also The Sunday Leader business pages of 31.7.11.). Meanwhile an accountant told this reporter that corruption is allegedly rampant in the country. He further said that the kickbacks in Chinese funded projects run to as high as 200-300%.