Rs. 169 million theft:

Ex-RADA Director re-remanded

The former Finance and Administration Director of Reconstruction and Development Agency (RADA), Jayantha Dias Samarasinghe, was re-remanded by the Fort Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage, when the case was taken up for hearing on July 22.

The Magistrate made the order when the investigating officers from the Police Special Investigation Unit (SIU) objected to an application by Samarasinghe’s attorney, seeking bail on behalf of his client. Attorney Nalinda Indratissa appeared for the former RADA Director.

The SIU is investigating the misappropriation of Rs.169 million in Treasury funds, allocated to build tsunami houses in LTTE controlled areas, in 2006. Investigators suspect the funds may have fallen in LTTE hands through a middle man. A total of six people, including RADA Chief Operations Officer Dr. Saliya Wickremasuriya, were arrested in connection with the case. Four suspects are still in remand.

The SIU officers have also questioned former parliamentarian and businessman, Tiran Alles, who headed the Agency during this period. A Fundamental Rights Petition filed by Alles will be heard in the Supreme Court on July 27 and 28. The case was initiated on a complaint by the Anti Corruption Front.