Fraud suspects further remanded

Sarath Malalasekera

COLOMBO: The five suspects who had been remanded in connection with the massive fraud at the Agrarian Insurance and Agrarian Services Board were further remanded yesterday till June 26 by Colombo Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Kusala Sarojini Weerawardena.

President’s Counsel Mohan Peiris, Senior Counsel for the chairman of the Agrarian Insurance Board yesterday submitted an application for bail in respect of the chairman.

Four other suspects including a woman who had been remanded in connection with misappropriation of Government funds were yesterday further remanded till June 26.

Earlier Colombo Fort Magistrate and Additional District Judge Namal Bandara Balalle said he had informed the Judicial Service Commission Secretary to appoint another Magistrate to hear the case.

Earlier the CID probing the massive fraud at the Agrarian Insurance and Agrarian Services Board arrested its Chairman and four other employees.

According to the CID investigations, the suspects are alleged to have misappropriated millions of rupees, to be distributed among the farmers affected by the closure of Mavilaru anicut by the LTTE terrorists.

The suspects, employees of the Board are alleged to have misappropriated government funds of Rs. 67,87,796, to be distributed among the affected farmers.

A special CID team is conducting investigations.

Case will be called again on June 26.

President’s Counsel Mohan Peiris, Jayantha Dias Nanayakkara and Kingsley Hettiarachchi appeared for the suspects.