Former minister Wimal Weerawansa, who was arrested on charges of misusing state vehicles, has been further remanded until February 07 after being produced before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. 

The National Freedom Front (NFF) leader was arrested by the Police Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) on January 10 after he arrived to give a statement pertaining to allegations of misusing state vehicles.    

Weerawansa has been accused of misusing several vehicles belonging to the presidential secretariat, during his tenure as the Minister of Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities, and thereby causing losses to the tune of Rs 41 million to the government.

A directive was also issued by Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne to probe allegations against Deputy Megapolis and Western Development Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna who was the Deputy Minister of Wimal’s Ministry at that time and former chairman of State Engineering Corporation Ashu Marasinghe, Ada Derana reporter said.

The Counsel who appeared on behalf of Weerawansa argued the police have failed to provide enough evidence against his client over the allegation. However, the Magistrate has refused to grant bail and apprised that enough evidence have been submitted by the Finance Crime Investigation Department (FCID) against Weerawansa.