Colombo (News 1st): Views were expressed with regard to Udayanga Weeratunga in the political sphere today (Feb 18). UNP MP J.C. Alawathuwala noted that during yesterday's hearing at the Fort Magistrate's Court, it had surfaced that the CID officers involved in investigating Udayanga Weeratunga's case had been transferred and that new officers had been appointed. He said the court has ordered the CID to obtain the services of these officers in the investigation of this case. He added that the people of this country are suspicious as to whether a new set of officers had been appointed to tamper or sweep the previous investigations under the carpet. Minister S.M. Chandrasena also commenting on this noted that they thought that Udayanga Weerathunga may not be brought back to the country. He stated that it is the present government that has brought back Udayanga Weeratunga. He questioned the JVP and the UNP to bring back Arjuna Mahendran in the same manner. He went onto note that their government is prepared to bring back anyone and show the people what is right. The Minister said they assumed that Udayanga Weeratunga would be granted bail within a couple of days, however, that did not happen and now he has been remanded. Commenting regarding Udayanga Weeratunga UNP MP Palitha Range Bandara said the state counsel who had studied the contents of this case for several years, has been transferred. He said that at the same time, Chief Inspector of Police Francis and other officers who were involved in the investigation of this case had been transferred to Negombo after shutting down the Financial Crimes Investigation Division. He added that as a result of this, it is a new officer who is tasked with investigating the case and this officer talks about Sections 400, 454, and 457 of the Penal Code in court. He stressed that the officer, however, does not talk about Section 8 of the Public Property Act. He pointed out that this paves the way for Udayanga Weeratunga to be granted bail quickly. Leader of the National Unity Alliance Azath Salley said the government asked Udayanga Weeratunga who was in hiding for four and a half years, to come back as they are in power. He noted that when Udayanga arrived the government changed the protocol and produced him in court. He said the judge fearlessly stated that what had been done was wrong and raised questions on why the officer who investigated this case was transferred. He pointed out that the judge also requested the IGP to utilize the services of this officer in this case. He stated that this is how attempts are being made to save an individual who had defrauded US$ 7 million.

Weeratunga's arrest discussed in Parliament

Meanwhile, the arrest of Udayanga Weeratunga was discussed in Parliament today. JVP MP Nalinda Jayatissa speaking in parliament noted that Udayanga Weeratunga has been placed in remand custody. He said the CID officer who conducted the investigations over the past 5 years was transferred, a new officer who was appointed to conduct the investigations comes to court and says that he does not know anything about the case. He pointed out that the new officer had asked the court what charges should be filed against Udayanga Weeratunga and this is how the CID makes submissions to court now. The Parliamentarian added that the new officer doesn't know about this case and he doesn't know what charges to file against Udayanga Weeratunga who caused a loss of US$ 7 million to the government. He questioned as to if the CID has become infants. He said the magistrate had publicly reprimanded the CID for their conduct regarding Udayanga Weeratunga who caused the government a loss of US$ 7 million. Responding to this State Minister Chamal Rajapaksa noted;

"I have some knowledge on how complaints are filed and how they are removed. I don't think you can accuse a person of doing something unjust because a complaint has been filed against him. Investigations must be conducted. It is only after that can you take the rest of the steps. Just because someone files a complaint does not mean that the accused is guilty. There are many complaints about how the officer of the CID had conducted the investigations."

Weeratunga's bail application dismissed

The Fort Magistrate who dismissed the bail application of former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga made certain observations during yesterday's hearing. While pointing out the requirement to submit a certificate signed by a police officer above the rank of an Assistant Superintendent if the government had incurred a loss of more than Rs 25,000, the magistrate queried as to why a certificate had not been presented in this manner while the government had incurred a loss of US$ 7 million in the case. The Magistrate noted the CIDs failure to produce a certificate from an ASP, which is an essential document to prove the said deal is a crime committed under the public property act, is a serious issue. The Magistrate pointed out that the investigations took place for more than 05 years and warrants were issued against the suspect as it was proven that the offences had taken place under the Public Property Act. Court pointed out that it is a serious issue that the suspect did not face any charges under the Public Property Act after being arrested and produced before the court. The Magistrate stated that it is unusual for the CID to have failed to submit a certificate confirming the offence under the Public Property Act and that it is evident that it had been done intentionally by the prosecution. The Magistrate also added that the court has observed that the investigation officers were conducting themselves to fulfil the bail conditions of the accused.