National Freedom Front Leader MP Wimal Weerawansa arrested for allegedly misusing 40 vehicles belonging to the State Engineering Corporation (SEC) while functioning as the Housing, Construction and Engineering Services Minister causing a loss of Rs. 91 million to the government was yesterday ordered to be further remanded till March 20 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne.
On a previous occasion, the Magistrate had ordered to release SEC former Deputy General Manager Samantha Lokuhennadige on bail after taking into consideration his 12-year-old daughter’s mental health condition as an exceptional circumstance.
Weerawansa was arrested by the FCID on January 10 on charges under the Public Property Act.
Meanwhile, the FCID informed Court that they have concluded preliminary investigations into the incident and expected to forward the extracts of the investigation to the Attorney General for his advice.
On January 24, the Magistrate refused to enlarge the former Minister on bail observing that the evidence presented before Court have proved that former Minister Weerawansa had intentionally given these vehicles to his close relatives and his party activists while they were not holding any position at the SEC.
The Magistrate further observed that it is apparent that the former Minister has intentionally and dishonestly misappropriated these vehicles by entrusting them to his close relatives and party activists.
Weerawansa had sought bail from the Colombo High Court challenging the Fort Magistrate’s order to refuse bail and this bail revision application is to be taken up for support on March 8.
The FCID conducting investigations into the alleged misuse of state vehicles had informed Court that Weerawansa had given his written and verbal approval for the commission of these offences while functioning as the Housing, Construction and Engineering Services Minister.
“These vehicles had been given to the SEC on a rental basis to carry out ministerial functions. However, the vehicles in question had been given to five relatives of the former minister including his sister. Ten other vehicles were given to 10 officials of the Jathika Nidahas Peramuna and the other vehicles were given to his staff members who were not entitled to receive them,” the FCID had told Court.
The FCID alleged that Weerawansa had given these vehicles for the use of his close relatives and private staff members without Treasury approval during 2010 to 2015. However, the defence had denied the allegations and informed Court that the FCID is conducting a politically motivated inquiry to punish the government’s political opponents.
The FCID had filed a B report in Court against Weerawansa alleging that he misused 40 vehicles while functioning as the Housing, Construction and Engineering Services Minister causing a loss of Rs. 91 million to the state.
Wimal unrepresented by lawyers; makes statement in open Court
Lakmal Sooriyagoda
National Freedom Front Leader MP Wimal Weerawansa remanded for allegedly misusing 40 vehicles belonging to the State Engineering Corporation (SEC) while functioning as the Housing, Construction and Engineering Services Minister yesterday made a statement in open Court citing that no attorney was appearing on his behalf.
Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne allowed MP Weerawansa to make a statement in accordance with section 127 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Making his statement in open Court, MP Weerawansa alleged that the FCID is conducting a politically motivated inquiry to punish the government’s political opponents. He said the FCID had launched an unfair inquiry against him in order to satisfy the government’s objectives.
He further informed Court that the allegations leveled against him should have been framed as a civil lawsuit instead of filing charges under the Public Property Act. He further moved Court that he be released on bail taking into consideration fact that he is a public representative and needs to fulfill his requirements as a Parliamentarian.
The Magistrate announced that she would deliver her bail order on next hearing date.
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