Alleged Agrarian Services fraud: Bail for suspects

Sarath Malalasekera

The five suspects who had been remanded in the alleged massive fraud at the Agrarian Insurance Board and Agrarian Services were yesterday released on bail by Colombo Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Sarojini Kusala Weerawardena.

Judge Weerawardena ordered the suspects to furnish cash bail in a sum of Rs. 25,000 each and a bond of Rs. 25 lakhs each with three sureties. One of the sureties should be a close family member of the suspect.

The Judge also ordered the suspects not to interfere with any of the prosecution witnesses and not to leave the country without prior permission of the court.

Earlier, the CID filing a further report in connection with their investigations told court that they had taken into custody 2918 application forms of farmers who were affected during the attack on Mavilaru anicut by the LTTE suspects. "We have recorded the statements of over 1000 farmers during the investigations", the CID told court.

The five suspects are Trincomalee Agrarian Insurance Service Board Director Sarawanmuttu Aravindan, Pension Director U. R. Chandradasa, Fund Director R. Punnasiri Perera, a female clerk S. Rarasaih and Chairman Asoka Namal Ratnayake.

According to CID investigations, the suspects are alleged to have misappropriated millions of rupees, the money which was allocated to distribute among the farmers who were affected during the attack on Mavilaru anicut by the LTTE.

The suspects, employees of the Agrarian Insurance and Agrarian Service, are alleged to have misappropriated government funds of Rs. 88,88,796, money which was to be distributed among farmers who were affected during the attack on Mavil Aru anicut.

It was revealed that suspect Namal Ratnayake had paid two farmers a sum of Rs. 43,240 and 14,995, the CID said.

A special CID team is conducting investigations into the massive fraud at the Agrarian Insurance Service.

Judge Weerawardena directed the case to be called again on January 14, 2008. Arujuna Premaratne, Sanjey Gamage, Mari Dicmond and S. Thirunakurusu appeared for the suspects.