A recently appointed presidential commission of inquiry has commenced calling for public complaints and information regarding alleged corruption, fraud and abuse of power at the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) over a 15-year period. The commission is to investigate alleged wrongdoing that occurred between 2010 and 2025, including corruption, fraud, criminal breach of trust, misuse of state resources and privileges, unlawful recruitments and appointments, procurement violations, and irregularities in the leasing of movable and immovable property.
The Commission is also tasked with examining legal actions and settlements carried out outside established procedures and assessing losses caused to state assets and revenue.
The commission was appointed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) under the Commissions of Inquiry Act of 1948 through an extraordinary gazette notification issued on December 30, 2025. According to the Presidential Media Division (PMD), the commission is based at No. 152, Galle Road, Colombo 3.
Former High Court Judge and Attorney-at-Law Piyasena Ranasinghe chairs the commission, and its members include E.R.M.S.H. Ekanayake of the Sri Lanka Accountants’ Service and retired Senior Superintendent of Police D.S. Wickramasinghe.
The commission is authorized to receive complaints and information concerning serious allegations against current and former political officeholders, public servants, officers of statutory bodies, service providers, and state or private institutions or individuals. It may also consider complaints outside the specified period if deemed serious in nature.
Officials have stated that the commission will conduct prompt, impartial and comprehensive investigations and make recommendations on legal or administrative action against responsible individuals or institutions. It will also propose measures to prevent similar misconduct in the future.
The commission is expected to submit an interim report within three months and a final report, including findings and recommendations, within six months to the secretary to the president.
Members of the public, organizations and institutions have been asked to submit written complaints in Sinhala, Tamil or English to the secretary of the commission at No. 152, Galle Road, Colombo 3 and all submissions must be received on or before February 23, 2026.
Complaints must include the complainant’s name, address, contact telephone number, and national identity card or passport number. Complainants who wish to keep their identities confidential may request anonymity.
Those wishing to make oral submissions may contact the commission at 011-230-1735 to arrange an appointment on or before February 23, 2026.
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