Rs. 1.4 m fraud case: Police record Jeevan’s statement

Police have recorded a statement from Lands Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga in connection with a case where five youths have been defrauded to the tune of Rs. 1.4 million after they were promised a passage to Australia.

The Nugegoda division’s Special Crimes Investigation Bureau (SCIB) recorded the statement on the orders of Gangodawila Chief Magistrate Padmini Ranawaka Gunathilake who is hearing the case. The magistrate instructed the police to amend the charge sheet if there was sufficient evidence to show that Mr. Kumaratunga was also involved in the fraud. Chief Inspector S. Thilakaratne said Minister Kumaratunga reported to police on Friday evening to make a statement, but he declined to elaborate on what the minister said in his statement.Notice had been issued on the minister and two others to appear before the Gangodawila Magistrate’s court on July 13 after one of the suspects in the case told court that he obtained money from five people to send them to Australia under the project “thousand jobs” which was carried out with the knowledge of the minister.

The suspect, Indrakeerthi Sunil Dissanayaka, who had worked with some projects in the then Sports Ministry also told court that he credited the money to the account of an official involved with the project. Meanwhile, the CID last Sunday questioned Nation Building Minister S.M. Chandrasena for two hours over his alleged involvement in misappropriating Mavilaru development funds.