News
Politicos, govt. officials facing criminal charges return to face the music
A string of investigations against politicians and officials on allegations varying from murder to misuse of funds, continued this week, after some of them were suspended during the election period.
The first to visit the FCID was MP Wimal Weerawansa’s wife, Shashi Weerawansa, when she was re-summoned by the FCID on August 20, for a statement regarding her assets. She was questioned on utility bills and details of her monthly income.
On the same day, former Central Bank Governor (CBG) Ajith Nivard Cabraal, and United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP Udaya Gammanpila too were questioned.
Mr Cabraal was questioned over alleged fraud committed during the acquisition of a private company by the Urban Development Authority (UDA), and Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Secretary, Mr Gammanpila was questioned for allegedly defrauding Rs 13.2 million from Metal Recycle Colombo Pvt Ltd.
On August 23, former Presidential Coordinating Secretary and CSN Channel Chairman Rohan Weliwita was questioned for over four hours by the FCID on a complaint of alleged financial misappropriation at the Channel. It is learnt that Mr. Weliwita was questioned about the co-directors of CSN and how CSN was financed, launched and operated this far.
Also on the same day, the Pelmadulla Magistrate’s court took up the case of former Deputy Minister of Electricity and Power, Premalal Jayasekara who is in remand over a shooting incident during the presidential election campaign.
He and seven other suspects were arrested for shooting at several United National Party (UNP) supporters and killing one person, when they were preparing the stage for a meeting at Kahawatte on January 8. They were further remanded till September 8.
On August 25, the CID also inspected the car in which national ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen’s body was found in 2012. The inspection was assisted by several officers of the Government Analyst’s Department, representatives of the Motor Traffic Department and Toyota Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd.
An inquest was held by Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Peiris’, who ordered an expert opinion from the Government Analyst’s Department on Thajudeen’s vehicle.
Meanwhile, former MP Sajin de Vass Gunawardena was denied bail till September 8, when his case came in the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court last week. He is alleged to have misused 22 vehicles belonging to the presidential secretariat.
The case of notorious drug dealer Samantha Kumara alias ‘wele suda’, implicating former MP Duminda Silva and former deputy minister Sarana Gunewardena, is also on. He had said that Mr Gunewardena had helped him obtain a filling station on the advice of Mr Silva.
Mr Gunewardena has another case concerning the breach of an agreement for the supply of scrap iron worth Rs.9.6 million to a BoI company.
Also last week, the cases against former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, former CB Governor Nivaard Cabraal and incumbent CB Governor Arjun Mahendran were withdrawn. The cases against Mr Rajapaksa and Mr Cabraal cited financial losses suffered by the State due to monetary decisions taken by them in the last government, and Mr Mahendran for his involvement in the infamous Central Bank Treasury Bond issue.
The dismissal follows the withdrawal of the petitions by the petitioner as the cases are being probed by the Bribery Commission.
Also on the same day, the Galle Magistrate lifted the travel ban imposed on former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Mr Rajapaksa and three others were banned by the Court from travelling abroad due to investigations being carried out in connection with the floating armoury, belonging to the Avant –Garde in the Galle Harbour. The court prohibited former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, former Navy Commander Admiral (Rtd) Somathilaka Dissanayake and Major General (Rtd.) K.B. Egodawela and Rakna Arakshaka Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. Director, Manjula Yapa from leaving the country.
On Monday, Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya issued notice on former minister Mervyn Silva to appear before court on November 11 as a witness in a habeas corpus petition filed by relatives of three missing persons, claiming Mr Silva had information on the ‘white van abductions’ implicating former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the case.
Also the Homagama Magistrate’s court issued a habeas corpus order on the Prageeth Ekneligoda case. A retired army officer and an ex-LTTE cadre have been arrested by the police in this connection. Mr Ekneligoda, a journalist for the news website Lanka news, had gone missing just before the 2010 presidential election.
On Friday, former treasury secretary P.B. Jayasundera was summoned by the FCID for interrogation over financial frauds committed during his tenure of service.
Meanwhile, M.N.M. Hijaz son of M.S.M. Las Niyaz alias Loku Seeya, a kapuwa of Ragama devale, last week lodged a complaint under the Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges stating that a minister in the previous regime was involved in his father’s killing. Mr Niyaz was abducted and killed in October 2011. The CID is investigating the case.
