More fraud allegedly committed by former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake has come to light when a scam in which provided state institutions with the option of leasing vehicles from three companies close to him was discussed at the weekly Cabinet meeting.

At the meeting it was revealed that the former Finance Minister, instead of purchasing vehicles through a payment scheme – as is the practice – which is much more economical, leased vehicles from the three companies close to him causing loss to the government.

When the issue was raised at the Cabinet meeting, Social Empowerment Minister S.B. Dissanayake and Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera were among the former Ministers loudest critics, reports reveal.   

President Maithripala Sirisena had also agreed with the two Ministers that the former Finance and later Foreign Affairs Minister’s conduct amounted to fraud, sources close to Asian Mirror also reliably report.

Former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake was removed from his post on May 22 – at the first Cabinet reshuffle of the national unity government – and given the portfolio of Foreign Affairs Minister.

However, the Minister publicly resigned from his position after evidence implicating him of corruption was uncovered during hearings on the controversial Treasury bond auctions of February 2015, and March 2016.