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Alleged Rubber Corp. fraud : Illangaratne volunteers statement from Canada

by Sarath Malalasekera

Former Chairman of 'Thuru Saviya' Rohana Illangaratne, wanted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), in connection with the alleged massive fraud at the Sri Lanka Rubber Manufacturing and Export Corporation has volunteered to make a statement regarding the ongoing investigations into the fraud. He has phoned the CID from Canada.

The CID DIG Lionel Gunatilleke is making arrangements to obtain a statement from Illangaratne.

Earlier, the CID sought the assistance of the Interpol Canada to trace the former chairman of the Thuru Saviya Rohana Illangaratne.

When the CID last week visited Rohana's residence at Kirulapone, the inmates had told the CID that he had left the country.

The CID wants to question Illangaratne following the statements made by former Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake and former chairman of the Sri Lanka Rubber Manufacturing and Export Corporation Sarath Wickremasinghe.

The CID investigation revealed that a sum of Rs. 30 million had been given to Thuru Saviya organisation on several vouchers. But the CID is unable to trace persons who received money through these vouchers as the names in them were fictitious.

Investigations revealed that a sum of Rs.900.34 million had been released by the Treasury to the Rubber Manufacturing and Export Corporation during the last regime.

Meanwhile referring to a news item that appeared in yesterday's edition of the Daily News Illangaratne, formerly of the Thurusaviya Fund says that he has been in contact with the CID and sees no reason for the Police to get Interpol help to trace him.

We reported that the CID sought Illangaratne in connection with the investigation into the multi-million-rupee fraud at the Rubber Manufacturing and Export Corp.

In an emailed letter from Canada where he is currently in residence Illangaratne said he left the country 13 months ago, and said "I am at a loss to understand as to why the CID should seek the assistance of Interpol Canada to "trace" me when in fact I personally contacted the CID Officer handling the investigation on the very day itself, by telephone from Canada, after learning from my sister that the CID was trying to contact me.

I informed the CID about my whereabouts and contact numbers etc., and followed same with a letter both by fax and fast-post to the CID, as requested by the relevant investigating officer."

Illangaratne adds that he "served the Thurusaviya Fund as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and never served as Chairman of the Thurusaviya Organisation as reported in the media. Thurusaviya fund was incorporated under Act number 23 of 2000, of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. As you can clearly see, these are two distinct organizations. I also wish to emphasize that The Thurusaviya Fund never had any dealings with the Rubber Manufacturing and Export Corporation, and also no funds have ever been received from the said corporation. Therefore, the reported information is incorrect. These facts were conveyed to the inquiring officials by me in writing with a request to examine the relevant books of Accounts of the Thurusaviya Fund, which continues to function under the Ministry of Plantation, and in the Ministry premises." 

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