The Fraud Investigation Bureau has informed the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court that it has recorded a statement from Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe regarding an ongoing investigation into the alleged use of a forged deed to lease a two-storey building in Dehiwala.
Despite the Magistrate’s prior order for a full investigation and the arrest of the suspects, the officers informed the court that they had sought advice from the Attorney General’s Department to determine whether a criminal offense had been committed.
President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne, who appeared alongside Kisal Senanayake on behalf of the aggrieved party, informed the court that the Fraud Investigation Bureau was unnecessarily seeking advice from the Attorney General’s Department in an attempt to complicate the investigations, despite an earlier court order directing the arrest of the suspects.
Gunaratne further stated that the ‘B Report’ submitted by the police earlier clearly indicated that a criminal offense had been committed, and therefore, the suspects could be arrested accordingly.
Magistrate A.D. Chathurika, after considering the submissions, granted permission for the aggrieved party to file written submissions on their stance and scheduled the next hearing for March 21.
This case concerns the leasing of a two-storey building in Dehiwala, which is said to belong to a trade union affiliated with the National Institute of Labour.
The Fraud Investigation Bureau had previously summoned Deputy Minister of Labour and General Secretary of the Lanka Teachers’ Service Union Mahinda Jayasinghe, as well as General Secretary of the Lanka Electricity Board Employees’ Union Ranjan Jayalal, to provide statements regarding the case. According to the deed in question, the property had been leased for Rs. 3.6 million.
