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Ex-Chief of RADA Alles gave over Rs 180m to LTTE: Witness
A complaint of criminal misappropriation of State funds amounting to over Rs 180 million, was made, as it was considered a crime against the public because the monies were channelled to the LTTE organisation for war purposes, a key witness in the High Court said.
Western Provincial Council member Nishantha Shri Warnasinghe was testifying in the case where former Chairman of the Reconstruction & Development Agency (RADA) Tiran Alles, former LTTE Financial section head Emil Kanthan, RADA Chief Operating Officer Saliya Wickramasuriya and Dr Jayantha Dias Samarasinghe are charged with criminal misappropriation.
The case was taken up before High Court Judge Vikum Kaluaarachchi last week.
Mr Warnasinghe said the money had been allocated to the RADA without Cabinet approval and the funds had been used by the LTTE, while the public suffered the consequences of their actions.
Under cross examination, Mr Warnasinghe said that 1st accused Alles should be held responsible for channeling the funds through Emil Kanthan to the LTTE and thereby, strengthening the LTTE.
He said that Alles, at a press conference, had admitted he witnessed money being handed over to Emil Kanthan and that, the video of this media conference could be produced in courts. He said that Alles had made this statement, a day after his house was attacked on January 22, 2010.
Mr Warnasinghe said he had lodged a complaint at Police Headquarters on February 25, 2015, as a member of the Anti-Corruption Front (ACF), which was actively involved in the political changes which took place after the January 8, 2015 elections.
He said they lodged complaints with the Bribery Commission, Criminal Investigations Department and the Financial Crimes Investigation Division.
Mr Warnasinghe, describing the case as a matter of national importance, said that, in his statement to the Police, he said he had acted in the interest of the public, at a time when the country was under the threat of terrorists.
He said he was aware that Emil Kanthan was directly connected to the RADA, which was formed in 2006 and that, as RADA head, Alles had links with the LTTE.
During cross examination, Mr Warnasinghe denied he lodged the complaint without the knowledge of the other members of the ACF.
Deputy Solicitor General Dilipa Peiris with State Counsel Nishara Jayaratna and Udara Karunatilake appeared for the Prosecution.
Nalin Ladduwahetti P.C. with Attorneys Shalika Gunawardena, Thusitha Ranasinha and Hakeem Haris, appeared for Alles. Shanaka Ranasinghe P.C. with Attorneys Lakshman Perera, Anton Kumarasinghe and Nishadha Gamage, appeared for 2nd accused Emil Kanthan, who was absent.
Anil de Silva P.C. with Attorneys Shiny Weerasuriya and Mahinda Jayawardena, appeared for 3rd accused Wickramasuriya, while Nalinda Indatissa with Attorney-at-Law Madumathi Jayatilake, appeared for 4th accused Dr Samarasinghe,
The next hearing was fixed for October 4.