Kaduwela Magistrate Aruna Buddhadasa has ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to obtain a statement from former Ports Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena within two weeks regarding an alleged fraud of Rs. 20 million, committed by promising to award a rock deposit removal tender at the Hambantota Port.

The order was issued when the CID’s investigation into a complaint against a person who allegedly posed as a coordinating secretary to the then Prime Minister was taken up in court.

After considering submissions made by lawyers representing the aggrieved party, who raised strong suspicion that a political figure may have been involved in the alleged fraud, the Magistrate directed the CID to record Abeygunawardena’s statement and report facts to court.

The complaint was lodged by businessman Gamini Ratna Kumara in Ambalangoda and investigated by the CID’s Commercial Crimes Division. The order was issued during the hearing of this complaint, where suspect Thusara Darshana appeared in court.

CID informed the court that further investigations are being carried out under the Penal Code and Section 25 of the Debt Recovery (Special Provisions) Act No. 2 of 1990.

Attorneys Nuwan Jayawardena and Dasun Perera, appearing for the aggrieved party, argued that a political hand could have influenced the transaction and urged for deeper investigations to uncover the full details.

They also noted that before obtaining the money, the complainant had been taken to the Hambantota Port, provided with an official vehicle, and given a guided tour of the facility, indicating the possible use of official authority – a matter they said must be further investigated.