Attorney-General’s Advice Sought About Enlisting INTERPOL Help to Locate Ex-Minister Basil Rajapaksa for Interrogation into Alleged Divi Neguma Fraud

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By Ishara Mudugamuwa and Yasaratne Gamage

The Financial Fraud Investigations Division (FFID) has sought the advice of the Attorney General on the procedure involved in obtaining a statement from former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa over the alleged financial fraud at the Divi Neguma Department, Police Media Spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said.

sketch by Hasantha Wijenayake

sketch by Hasantha Wijenayake

The police decided to obtain a statement from the former minister after Divi Naguma Director General, R.A.K. Ranawaka, gave a statement to the FFID, over alleged financial fraud in the Divi Neguma department, stating that funds of the department were released for use in the 2015 Presidential election campaign and another Rs 70 million to hold a convention, under the instructions of the former minister.

“We have informed the Kaduwela Magistrate about the matter and further extended investigations to seek the AGs advice in obtaining a statement from the former minister who is not in the island at present, he added.

“We have to inform the former minister to appear before the FFID to give a statement but we do not know his whereabouts, except that he is not in Sri Lanka,” the ASP added.

The use of the Divi Neguma Department funds for the Presidential election 2015, irregularities in providing the Divi Neguma gratuity and the use of Divi Neguma funds worth Rs. 70 million to hold a convention are the subjects on which the police are seeking a statement from the former minister.

“The Police Financial Crime Investigation Unit has already commenced investigations into 38 large-scale financial crimes including the Hedging deal, purchase of four MIG 27 fighter air crafts for the Sri Lanka Air Force and rehabilitation of these MIG fighter air craft at the cost of Rs.14.5 million.

Hence statements have been recorded from former Ceylon Petroleum Cooperation Chairman , Asantha de Mel over the Hedging deal and Divi Naguma Director General , R.A.K. Ranawaka over alleged financial fraud at the Divi Neguma department.” he explained.

According to the standard procedure, the FFID will have to inform International Police Organization (Interpol) if the former minister doesn’t return to the island, to issue a red notice against him.

Courtesy:Daily News