Magistrate issues proclamation:

Arrest Danuna on sight

Sarath MALALASEKERA

The Colombo Fort Magistrate and Additional District Judge Lanka Jayaratne yesterday issued a Proclamation order against Danuna Tillakaratne, the second suspect in the HICROP (Pvt) Limited alleged fraud case, for his arrest on sight.

The Judge issuing the Proclamation order on son-in-law of General Sarath Fonseka directed the Criminal Investigation Department, who are conducting investigations into the case, to prepare several notices stating that if he, Danuna Tillakaratne, failed to appear before the Colombo Fort Magistrate Court within a thirty days from today (May 27), that his movable and immovable properties will be forfeited.

Issuing the Proclamation order after recording the evidence of CID Chief Inspector Mohan Siriwardena the Judge directed the CID to make a public announcement islandwide about the order and paste posters in Sinhala and in Tamil in public places that Danuna Tillakaratne is most wanted man in the country.

These posters should be pasted in public places and in the Court premises also to bring to the notice of the public that the suspect who is evading arrest and wanted in connection with an alleged fraud case.

The Judge also observed that the suspect Danuna Tillakaratne had ignored several orders issued by the Courts and the CID to appear and give a statement in connection with the ongoing investigations about the alleged fraud.

The CID told court that according to information received by them the suspect Danuna Tillakaratne is living in disguise and changes his pattern of living.

Earlier State Counsel Janaka Bandara moved court to issue a Proclamation against suspect Danuna Tillakaratne for his arrest.

State Counsel objected to the suspect Tillakaratne being released on bail and said that the suspect had not obeyed the Court orders on a number of occasions and is evading arrest. Attorney-at-Law Sarath Siriwardena, Senior Counsel for the suspect

Wellington Dehoedt, a director of HICROP (Pvt) Limited moved court that his client be released on bail.

The Judge refused the application for bail in respect of Dehoedt and remanded him till May 31.

CID Director Senior SP Wijey Amarasinghe was present in court during the proceedings.

At the outset Senior Defence Counsel Siriwardena submitted to court that the investigators had failed to mention the amount that the suspect is alleged to have misappropriated by tendering forged documents to the Army to obtain a tender for his company. Senior Defence Counsel Siriwardena said that the amount alleged to have been involved in the transaction should be mentioned in the report filed before court by the investigators. This is very vital for the defence when making an application for bail.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday filed a further report before Judge Lanka Jayaratne and said that they have not completed the investigations.

Earlier, on an application by the CID, the Judge re-issued the warrant for the arrest of Danuna Tillekeratne who is evading arrest.

Chief Inspector Mohan Siriwardena of the CID said that a special CID team had searched several locations where Danuna is alleged to have been living. The investigation also revealed that Danuna had left the country.

Chief Inspector Siriwardena said that the suspect director had forwarded several forged documents to the Army authorities to obtain the contract to his company.

The CID will submit a comprehensive report in connection with their ongoing investigations to court on the next date.

Senior Attorney Sarath Siriwardena with Shiraz Noordeen appeared for the suspect Dehoetd.

The case will be called again on May 31.