Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Affairs Dr. Harsha de Silva has lodged a complaint with the Commission Investigating into Bribery and Corruption to investigate the corrupt incident of the earlier government taking over the huge 47 story building being constructed opposite Temple Trees from Ceylinco Group and selling it to a company by the name of Sino Lanka for a bid of Rs. 375 million while Ceylinco had already received a bid for Rs. 7.5 billion.

While lodging this complaint yesterday (28 January), the Deputy Minister said if this building had been sold on the basis of the Rs. 7.5 billion bid received by Ceylinco then Ceylon Group could have paid back a considerable of money to those affected by the crisis ridden company.

The former government offering this building at a lower bid to a company named Sino Lanka which had been established with a capital of only Rs. 50 is a corrupt act, said the Minister.

There are so many questions that have arisen over this project, like who are the owners of this Sino Lanka? Where has it been registered? What is the link between this company and Litro Gas, says Dr. Harsha de Silva.

“During the signing of this agreement the value of Sino Lanka was only Rs. 50. How did the offer of the construction of such a 47 storied hotel go to a Rs. 50 institution? This land has a deed of lease. How was such a land offered to Seylan Bank on outright ownership?” he questioned.

The Deputy Minister added that the incumbent government has no issues over this building construction but that it has to be done with transparency.

This building belonging to Ceylinco Limited had been acquired the earlier government under its controversial property acquiring laws and later sold to Sino Lanka Limited.

Later, Sino Lanka Limited resumed the construction of this building and claimed that a luxury hotel under the Hyatt Regency brand would be started here.