In response to a remark made by Udayanga Weeratunga through his counsel, the Attorney General yesterday informed Court that Udayanga cannot return to the country voluntarily since he is being under judicial custody in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
State Counsel Udara Karunatilleke appearing on behalf of the Attorney General informed Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne that Udayanga will have to face legal procedure adopted under Extradition Laws.
‘The prosecution is happy with the new stance of Udayanga that he will return to Sri Lanka. Earlier, Udayanga was of the view that he would never come to Sri Lanka,’ the State Counsel said.
Meanwhile, State Counsel Karunatilleke stated as of June 27 this year, Udayanga was detained under UAE federal judicial custody. The UAE authorities have commenced legal proceeding into the extradition of Udayanga. If Udayanga informed the UAE court that he is ready to return to Sri Lanka, he can be brought immediately after terminating extradition proceedings.
He can be boarded on a Sri Lankan Airlines flight which is considered as a territory of Sri Lanka even in the UAE.
“Then he can be arrested by Sri Lankan authorities,” State Counsel Karunatilleke said.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne also observed that Udayanga cannot visit Sri Lanka as he wished since he is a person wanted for a cognisable offence.
‘He is not an ordinary person now. He was a person wanted for a cognisable offence,’ the Magistrate observed.
The Attorney General informed Court that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially made a request from UAE authorities for the extradition of Udayanga Weeratunga.
The Court was also informed that the FCID has commenced an investigation into an incident where a sum of US$ 26,800 deposited in a local bank by Udayanga had been transferred to a bank account belonging to him in UAE, despite Central Bank restrictions.
The Colombo Fort Magistrate had issued an open warrant written in English through the Interpol for the arrest of former Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga.
Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne had made this order pursuant to a request made by FCID citing that he is continuously evading courts.
The FCID conducting investigation into MiG aircraft transaction had named Udayanga Weeratunga as a suspect in the case through a B report filed in the Fort Magistrate’s Court.
The Court was informed through FCID that INTERPOL had issued a ‘Red Warrant’ on Udayanga Weeratunga, naming him as a fugitive wanted by the Sri Lankan authorities.
The FCID had informed Court that Udayanga Weeratunga had directly intervened into the questionable transaction in procuring MiG-27 ground attack crafts. The FCID said the deal amounted to US$14 million.
On June 9, 2016 the Colombo Fort Magistrate had issued notices on Udayanga Weeratunga to appear in Court July 15 but he did not turn up. Thereafter, on October 20, 2016, court Had issued a warrant for the arrest of Udayanga Weeratunga.
The FCID had told Court that they were investigating whether the former Sri Lankan ambassador in Russia had invested money in a company called Sri Lankan Limited Liability Company in Moscow, which were earned through the Mig-27 transaction.
Meanwhile, the FCID named foreign nationals and foreign company as suspects regarding this case.
The FCID launched this investigation following a complaint lodged by defence columnist and political writer Iqbal Athas.
In his complaint to the FCID, journalist Iqbal Athas stated that he had written several articles regarding the financial irregularities that had taken place in procuring four MiG-27 aircraft at a higher price. He told the police that these ground attack aircrafts had been manufactured between 1980 and 1983. He said financial irregularities had taken place during the transaction between Sri Lank and Ukraine.
Chief Inspector Nihal Francis appeared for FCID.
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Udayanga to return to Sri Lanka - Defence Counsel
Lakmal Sooriyagoda
Former Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga through his counsel yesterday informed Court that he would voluntarily return to Sri Lanka.
President’s Counsel Anil de Silva appearing on behalf of Weeratunga, a first cousin of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa made these remarks when the magisterial inquiry against Udayanga Weeratunga over alleged financial fraud that is alleged to have taken place in procuring seven MiG-27 ground attack air craft for the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLFA) was taken up for inquiry.
However, Defence Counsel did not reveal any particular date suggesting Udayanga’s arrival and said he will be here soon after the relevant procedure is over.
“My client will be present in Court. He had been in Russia since 1994.
He is a student and a businessman in Russia. He is expecting to return with his wife and children. He would not come immediately. He would be here as soon as procedure pertaining to his children is concluded,” the Defence Counsel said.