Open warrant issued for Udayanga’s arrest
March 16, 2018 01:21 pm
The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today issued an open warrant for the arrest former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga, who is absconding, to be executed through Interpol.
The warrant calls for the arrest of the suspects and to produce him before the court, Ada Derana reporter said.
Interpol last month issued a Red Notice on the former Sri Lankan Ambassador, as a person wanted by the Sri Lankan authorities.
Mr. Weeratunga had been evading a warrant of arrest issued on 20 October 2016 by a Colombo Magistrate, in relation to investigations pertaining to alleged embezzlement of public funds to the tune of 7.833 million US dollars with regard to procurement of MiG aircraft and money laundering.
On the basis of a Blue Notice obtained by Interpol Sri Lanka on Mr. Weeratunga, Sri Lanka authorities had been working through mutual legal assistance with a number of countries to trace his whereabouts.
The former Ambassador to Russia and Ukraine was intercepted in the UAE on Sunday 4th of February 2018 when he attempted to leave to the United States.
However, he was subsequently released by the UAE authorities, but was prevented from leaving the territory of the UAE until the conclusion of investigations.
