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Deyata Kirula exhibition CEO remanded for alleged fraud
View(s):Deyata Kirula 2013 exhibition Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kanthi Gunawardane who was arrested in connection with alleged misappropriation of 39 million rupees on May 9, was remanded until May 15 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage.
Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers arrested the suspect soon after the Colombo Fort Magistrate rejected her anticipatory bail application on May 8.
The former CEO was later produced before the Court and the CID moved to remand her. She had served as an additional secretary to the Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Technology. The CID told court that she has allegedly committed an offence punishable under the Public Property Act and the CID was yet to record her statement.
President’s Counsel Shanka Ranasinghe appearing for the suspect told court that the Deyata Kirula funds could not be considered as public property since they were provided by the various sponsors. He further added that his client had made the transactions in accordance with the financial regulations.
However, the CID submitted that funds were channelled through the Department of National Physical Planning. Ms. Gunawardane filed the anticipatory bail application on April 4, seeking to prevent the Police from arresting her over the charges of misappropriation of Deyata Kirula funds amounting to 39 million rupees.
The magistrate refusing anticipatory bail noted that if the court released her on bail that would create public discontent. The CID commenced the investigations into the fraud consequent to a complaint by Telecommunication Ministry Secretary H.M. Gunasekera to the CID on March 20
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