Fraud case: CID perusing Minister’s bank accounts
Sarath Malalasekera
COLOMBO: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probing the
massive fraud at the Agrarian Insurance Board and Agrarian Service
Department yesterday told Colombo Chief Magistrate and Additional
District Judge Kusala Sarojini Weerawardena that they are perusing the
bank accounts of Minister S. M. Chandrasena, whose name transpired
during investigations into the fraud.
CID officials told the Judge that Chandrasena had made a statement to
the CID and mentioned his and his wife’s bank account numbers.
The CID is investigating into those bank accounts.
Gunasena Wanninayake, senior counsel for the Minister, said there is
a conspiracy against his client to tarnish his political career and
sling mud at him.
Some suspects in remand custody might give affidavits against the
Minister, he said.
Chandrasena is not involved in any of the money transactions which
was to be distributed among farmers affected following the Mavil Aru
anicut attack by the LTTE, the Senior Counsel said.
The five suspects who had been remanded in connection with the fraud
were yesterday further remanded till July 25 by Judge Weerawardena. The
Judge refused an application for bail in respect of the suspects.
The five suspects are Trincomalee Agrarian Insurance Service Board
Director Sarawanamuttu Aravindan, Pensions Director, U. Chandradasa,
Fund Director R. Punnasiri Perera, woman clerk S. Rasiah and Chairman
Asoka Namal Ratnayake.
According to CID investigations, the suspects allegedly
misappropriated millions of rupees, the money allocated to be
distributed among farmers affected after the attack on the Mavil Aru
anicut by the LTTE.
The suspects, employees of the Agrarian Insurance Board and Agrarian
Service Department, are alleged to have misappropriated government funds
of Rs. 8,888,796, which was to be distributed among farmers affected
during the attack.
It was revealed that suspect Namal Ratnayake had paid two farmers Rs.
43,240 and Rs. 14,995, the CID said.
A special CID team is investigating into the fraud.
The case will be called again on July 25.
Arjuna Premaratne, Sanjey Gamage, Mari Dicmond and S. Thirunakurusu
appeared for the suspects.
|
