The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is set to question former Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga over allegations that a duty-free bus imported for the Sports Ministry was diverted to Carlton Preschool, owned by former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, The Sunday Times reported.
According to the newspaper, the CID’s Financial Crimes Investigation Unit has reopened the case after uncovering fresh evidence suggesting that the transfer resulted in a financial loss to the state. A former Additional Secretary of the Presidential Secretariat is also expected to be questioned.
The inquiry is linked to the controversial ‘Siriliya’ project, launched under the patronage of Shiranthi Rajapaksa. The CID had previously filed reports on seven alleged irregularities connected to the Siriliya account before the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court. Six of these cases were later closed on the advice of the Attorney General’s Department due to insufficient evidence.
However, new information regarding the bus transfer prompted investigators to make fresh submissions to court. According to The Sunday Times, the CID has now been directed to summon Weeratunga and the former Additional Secretary to record statements in connection with the case.
