Open warrant for businessman’s arrest

by Sarath Malalasekera

Mount Lavinia Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Harsha Sethunga issued an open warrant for the arrest of Parnaliyanage Don Sujeewa Kumara who allegedly provided the money recovered from four vaults at a private bank. The vaults belonged to Asoka Tillekeratne, mother of Danuna Tillekeratne.

Danuna Tillekeratne is the son-in-law of retired General Sarath Fonseka who is in custody.

The Judge made this order on an application by Inspector Mohan Masimbula of the CID who told Court that according to investigations, the second suspect, businessman Sujeewa Kumara had left the country when investigations began.

The Judge also directed the CID to obtain Interpol assistance to trace Kumara, a businessman of Old Nawala Road, Rajagiriya.

The CID investigating the recovery of Rs 75 million consisting of several foreign currencies found in four vaults belonging to Asoka Tillekeratne recently took into custody a black Defender in which the money was allegedly brought to the bank.

The black Defender was produced before Court yesterday. The Judge directed the CID to keep the Defender in the custody of the Court. According to investigators, Danuna Tillekeratne had purchased the black Defender under the name of one of his close friends from an Army auction on February 14, 2008. General Fonseka had been the Army Commander at the time Tillekeratne purchased this vehicle.

A special CID team is investigating how Tillekeratne purchased the black Defender from the Army auction.

Asoka Tillekeratne who was produced before Court earlier by the CID in connection with the Rs. 75 million was granted bail. The Judge directed her to appear in Court on May 14. On an application by the CID, the Judge directed the private bank manager to assist the CID in their investigations by providing information.

The CID filing a report in Court, said they are investigating into the money recovered from four vaults at a private bank under Exchange Control Laws.

Inspector Masimbula said the money recovered from the four vaults, Rs.75 million which comprised US$ 527,000 Sterling Pounds 100 and Rs. 15 million, are kept in the same vault at the bank.

The CID said they are investigating in connection with several forged documents relevant to the money found in the four vaults. According to investigations, the money recovered from the four vaults is the balance which had been used for General Sarath Fonseka’s election campaign.