FCID probes 26 complaints

The Sri Lanka Police Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID) has prioritised investigating 26 complaints it had received, as of yesterday. Another four cases are now under court inquiry. Fifty-two cases have been listed for investigations, according to Police Spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara.

The FCID has recorded statements from the relevant officials in 13 cases. Preliminary investigations are now under way on the remaining 13. Another 26 cases are yet to be investigated. Police sources said the cases would be prioritised, according to the gravity of the crime.

The complaints made against the alleged corruption in using the Divi Neguma Development Department funds made a turning point in the investigations when the former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa was remanded till May 5 following nearly 10 hours of questioning. The investigations began following the complaint to the FCID on February 25 and 28 by a person who had first-hand information on the deals.

Police Spokesman ASP Gunasekara said that four separate cases had been investigated. One investigation was on the complaint number FCID/02A/15 made on February 28 on the compensation and gratuity payments for Rs.1.73 million when the Divi Neguma project was converted into a Department. Second on the allegations on the house renovation project under the Divi Neguma - Rs.2.99 million – numbered FCID/02B/15.

The third was on allegations on printing the New Year auspicious time calendars at a cost of Rs.29.4 million as part of the recent Presidential election propaganda. The fourth was on spending Rs.63.7 million on the Divi Neguma national convention during the election period.