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SCMP Reporter

FORMER secretary of defence General Hamilton Wanasinghe has been barred from leaving the country pending investigations of bribery and corruption allegations.

  Government sources said yesterday the Permanent Commission on Bribery and Corruption had instructed the Commissioner of Immigration and Emigration to impound General Wanasinghe's passport.

  They said General Wanasinghe, who officially relinquished his duties on Friday, had been scheduled to leave for India the same day.

  Moves to replace him with a top civil servant had been in the pipeline for several months, following allegations of large-scale kick-backs on arms deals.

  Government sources said General Wanasinghe's removal would bring about a big shake-up in the Defence Ministry.

  'Several more heads are about to roll in the ministry,' a high-ranking official said.

  General Wanasinghe, 61, was at the centre of several controversial arms deals which allegedly violated tender procedures, sources said.

  Elections Commissioner Chandrananda de Silva was offered the vacant post but declined, and President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has appointed presidential secretary Kusumsiri Balapatabendi acting Secretary of Defence.

  Recent purchases of arms, ammunition and other defence equipment triggered a big row among dealers of military equipment but General Wanasinghe claimed the controversy had been created by 'disgruntled vendors'.

  President Kumaratunga's People's Alliance Government suspended a controversial US$73 million (HK$563.92 million) deal with Russia for arms to fight the Tamil rebels.

  Recent reports claimed some arms dealers have been selling the same type of equipment to both the Government and the rebels.

  General Wanasinghe was appointed by the previous United National Party government, widely accused of massive corruption during its 17-year regime, but until Friday continued in the post, despite allegations of massive kick-backs to the ministry.



General's passport held after bribe claim