Friday 17 February 2017

Frm SLTB Head Shahi Welgama re-remanded

By Shehan Chamika Silva 

Former SLTB chairman, Shashi Welgama and one time spare parts supplier to the SLTB, Nandana Priyantha who were arrested by the CID in connection with Rs.125 million misappropriation taken place at SLTB, were ordered to be further remanded till February 23 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Daminda Weligodapitiya.

The prosecution earlier named another suspect, Shirantha Sanjeewa Waidyathilaka as the third suspect into the inquiry and he was the Chief Financial Manager of the SLTB during the alleged period.

The CID informed court the third suspect currently resides in abroad absconding the prosecution and the appropriate steps would be taken to apprehend him with the assistance of the Interpol.

According to the prosecution the first suspect, Nandana Priyantha who was a supplier to the SLTB had  been given tenders respectively in 2010 and 2012 to supply spare parts to the SLTB.  However, he had allegedly not supplied spare parts equally to the advance payments made to him by the SLTB. The CID alleged that the first suspect had submitting forged documents in three occassions had requested SLTB officials to permit his payments according to the procurement procedures fraudulently.

The prosecution said the second suspect, Shashi Welgama as the then chairman of SLTB had fraudulently recommended the forged documents provided by the supplier to the Finance Department of the SLTB by approving them fraudulently.

The CID arrested the suspects on charges under the Penal Code and the Public Property Act over Criminal misappropriation, breach of trust and the misuse of state funds.

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