The Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau today (Feb. 27) informed the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court that it has not yet received advice from the Attorney General regarding an alleged fraud involving a property owned by the National Workers Institute in Dehiwala.
The case concerns claims that a two-storey building and land belonging to the institute were leased for Rs. 3.6 million using a forged lease agreement.
Presenting a further report to court, officials said that statements are to be recorded from several individuals as part of ongoing inquiries and that the court will be updated on a future date.
The investigation file was forwarded to the Attorney General for advice on Feb. 19, 2025. However, officials noted that based on investigations conducted so far, no facts have been revealed to establish that a criminal offence has occurred.
Mount Lavinia Magistrate Pasan Amarasena had previously rejected a request made on Sept. 26 by President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne, appearing for the complainant, to name certain individuals as suspects and order their arrest, after determining that no criminal offence had been established at that stage.
During earlier proceedings, it was revealed that Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe and Kaduwela Mayor Ranjan Jayalal had provided statements to the Fraud Investigation Bureau on Aug. 14, while Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe gave a statement on Aug. 21, in connection with the alleged forged lease.
Officials informed court on Aug. 22 that all relevant statements had been recorded. According to Samarasinghe’s statement, he had appeared as the lessor based on a decision taken by the executive committee at the 2020 annual general meeting of the National Workers Congress trade union.
Gunaratne PC, appearing for the aggrieved party, previously informed court that although there were legally appointed officers of the National Workers Institute, Samarasinghe did not have the authority to lease the property.
He further alleged that despite court orders issued on two occasions directing the arrest of suspects, the police had not implemented those orders and had instead sought the Attorney General’s advice. (Newswire)
