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CID to question former presidential secretary Weeratunga over bus deal
View(s):By Ranjith Padmasiri
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is to record a statement from Lalith Weeratunga, who served as presidential secretary during the Mahinda Rajapaksa presidency, over allegations that a bus imported on a duty-free basis for the Sports Ministry was given to Carlton Preschool, the Sunday Times learns.
The CID’s Financial Crimes Investigation Unit, which is probing the allegation, has begun investigations. Also to be questioned is a then-additional secretary of the Presidential Secretariat.
The probe is part of a wider CID investigation into the ‘Siriliya’ project. The CID had made submissions to the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court on seven different irregularities related to the Siriliya account. The court had ordered the CID to obtain the Attorney General’s advice regarding the matter.
Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris later informed the CID that the available evidence was insufficient to file criminal charges in six of the seven cases. The case folder was then laid aside.
However, fresh evidence has since emerged concerning the bus, prompting the CID to make new submissions to the court and reopen the investigation. The CID has reportedly uncovered that the transfer of the bus resulted in a financial loss to the state.
The CID has now been instructed to summon Mr Weeratunga and the former Additional Secretary and question them regarding the handover of the bus.
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