Former Western Province Governor Azath Salley on Thursday (11) told the Colombo High Court that he was financially ruined after investing more than Rs. 80 million in businesses linked to Thico Group owner Thilini Priyamali and company director Janaki Siriwardena, who are accused of defrauding him.
The charges were formally read out before Colombo High Court Judge Lanka Jayaratne when the case was taken up. The two accused, who are currently out on bail, appeared before court.
Giving evidence as the first witness in the case, Salley said that although he had earned substantial profits through property and real estate ventures, his investment in the businesses operated by the two accused had left him financially devastated.
He told court that he invested in the venture without suspicion because the company operated from the World Trade Center (WTC) in Colombo, the accused used luxury vehicles, and several well-known business figures were present at the office seeking to invest when he visited.
Salley further stated that he handed over the money without even asking for a business plan or a specific date on which returns or interest would be paid.
The case relates to allegations that Priyamali and Siriwardena fraudulently obtained more than Rs. 80 million from Salley between 30 May and 30 July 2022. The indictment also includes a charge relating to the issuance of a dishonoured cheque worth Rs. 5 million.
