The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is set to question former Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga regarding 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 report, the CID’s Financial Crimes Investigation Unit has reopened the case after uncovering fresh evidence indicating that the transfer may have caused 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 at the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court. Six of the cases were later closed following advice from the Attorney General’s Department due to insufficient evidence.
However, the discovery of new information about the bus has led investigators to make fresh submissions to court. As a result, the CID has been directed to summon Weeratunga and the former Additional Secretary to record statements in relation to the matter.
