Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga, who was arrested over the alleged MiG Aircraft deal was yesterday ordered to be remanded till February 17 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake.
Udayanga Weeratunga who returned to Sri Lanka yesterday (14) morning was taken into custody by the Criminal Investigations Department at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).
Criminal Investigations Department Director Senior Superintendent of Police W. Thilakaratne informed Court that Udayanga Weeratunga had directly intervened into the questionable transaction in procuring MiG-27 ground attack craft.
The value of the deal was estimated at US$14 million. This is in connection with the financial fraud that is alleged to have taken place in procuring seven MiG-27 ground attack aircraft for the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF).
The CID submitted to court that they have already recorded statements from the suspect following his arrest. The suspect has told Police in his statement that he had legally involved with this questionable MIG deal transaction. The CID further stated that they instituted legal action against the suspect under Money Laundering Act.
The CID also stated that they required sufficient time to conduct further investigation into this matter. The Director of the CID further stated that they want to obtain necessary legal advice from the Attorney General.
The CID also pointed out that an official from Attorney General’s Department informed them that they will appear for this case on next calling date and thereby moved to arrange a date for the magisterial inquiry.
The CID also stated that they do not expect to record statements from the suspect while he was in prison. On multiple occasions, the Colombo Fort Magistrate issued open warrants for the immediate arrest of former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga after considering facts presented by the Police Financial Crimes Investigation regarding the controversial deal which took place between 2007 and 2009.
President’s Counsel Anil Silva appearing on behalf of the suspect informed court that he will make his bail application on next calling date. The Magistrate fixed the case for inquiry on February 17.
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CID arrests Former Ambassador Udayanga Weeratunga (09:56)
Sri Lanka’s former Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga returned to the island this morning.
He was detained by the Criminal Investigations Department at the Bandaranaike International Airport and questioned.
Weeratunga who was arrested by the CID at the BIA will be produced before the Fort Magistrate’s Court today, said the Police Media Division.
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