The Colombo Additional Magistrate’s Court yesterday ordered the release of businessman and Aura Lanka Company Chairman Viranjith Thambugala from a case filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over the alleged misappropriation of Rs. 70 million in connection with the purchase of a helicopter.
Colombo Additional Magistrate Darshika Premaratne issued the order after being informed that the Attorney General had advised that there was no basis to pursue criminal proceedings against the suspect.
Accordingly, the Magistrate ordered that Thambugala be released from the case and also lifted the foreign travel ban previously imposed on him.
The case had been filed by the Financial and Commercial Crimes Investigation Division of the CID following a complaint lodged by Arthur Senanayake, the head of IWS Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, alleging that funds amounting to Rs. 70 million had been obtained fraudulently in relation to a helicopter purchase.
Appearing on behalf of Thambugala, Attorney Upali Jayamanne told court that the complaint had been filed maliciously against his client and claimed that several high-ranking politicians at the time had personal differences with the businessman. (Newswire)