Govt. can’t say whether Udayanga guilty or not: Dy. Minister

28 March 2015 03:56 am - 24 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Ajith P. Perera said the Government was still not in a position to state whether former Ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga was guilty of the allegations levelled against him by the Ukraine Government that he supplied arms to rebels in Ukraine.

“We cannot yet state whether he is guilty or not because the probe hasn’t yet begun. But his conduct has definitely raised suspicions because he has not handed over his diplomatic passport or had completed the process that has to be carried out by the diplomats whose term of office has ended. In fact, we have been unable to determine his current location,” he said.

The deputy minister said it was not certain whether the former diplomat is still in Russia or in Ukraine but his last known whereabouts place him in Ukraine, where he has been managing a restaurant.

“He is a close relative of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa. Therefore, the former President and his family too are implicated in the charges that have been made against Mr. Weeratunga,” he said and added that though the extent of his responsibility could not be determined, the detailed charges levelled against Mr. Weeratunga were grave and were offenses under either domestic or international laws.

“The Ukraine government has written to the former government concerning his activities but no response has been made and that is why they have written to us again noting down the list of allegations against Mr. Weeratunga and the types of weapons he has supplied and their numbers,” the deputy minister added.

He said they have not yet sought the assistance of Ukraine or the Russian Governments to continue the probe and added that they were awaiting the return of Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera from China, before appointing a high-level committee to probe the allegations. (Lakna Paranamanna)

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Comments - 24

kyiv Saturday, 28 March 2015 05:09 PM

This what will happen to Colombo port city one day. Mark the day I said it.

Kingsley Wijesinhe Monday, 30 March 2015 11:14 AM

He is a close relation of former president Rajapakse. That was the only qualification required for any appointment those days. Also, one more qualification; he ran a restaurant in Ukraine - so the embassy could have saved money on food.

Rahul Monday, 30 March 2015 04:47 AM

What the hell is happening in the foreign Ministry.? Mangala does not seem to be in charge and has become a Puppet like what G.L Peiris was . He seems to be enjoying his numerous international joy rides than looking into and making decisions at the Ministry.

Mankai Sunday, 29 March 2015 02:53 PM

Comeon Sula,A restaurant owner was made Ambassador and not other way around.

Sena Sunday, 29 March 2015 01:33 PM

Any idiot knows that Udayanga was an unqualified relative of MR who was nothing but a racketeer posing as an Ambassador which was as insult to the foreign service,And this fellow covers up for fat Kshenuka and Sajin Vaas the crooked people who were responsible for siphoning millions of dollars on the Geneva Refurbishment scam and appoints the fat Lady as Ambassador to Thailand,You guys are no different from the former crooks of the Rajapaksa regime.

dharma Sunday, 29 March 2015 09:46 AM

mr rangth you not fit for the national government, you are a communal minded person, please fellow the foreign minister,the democracy government in power ,

de silva Sunday, 29 March 2015 08:59 AM

How come diplomats run restaurants in other countries.If the Ukraine government made the allegations then ask them to deport him to this country.I doubt you will do it,after all he is connected to MR

Dee Sunday, 29 March 2015 07:26 AM

You a spokesman of plugwansa?

TripleX Sunday, 29 March 2015 02:30 AM

Could someone please tell what qualification Udayanga had to become an Ambassador ?

Freebird Saturday, 28 March 2015 09:36 PM

No one will get punishment or charged as guilty because same old govt way things are moving via DM Android App

BuffaloaCitizen Saturday, 28 March 2015 08:48 PM

If the sovereign Ukraine Government has made know to the GOSL officially with all proof of documents, then it is an extremely serious issue. Their is no doubt that the Rajapakse regime were punks to China and Russia due to providing them cover at the UN against war crimes and thus this accusation cannot be doubted.

asfar Saturday, 28 March 2015 08:10 PM

suhada. Do u know what are u writing ? OMG.

TONY Saturday, 28 March 2015 09:37 AM

NOT GUILTY. HE CAN NOW BE PART OF THE SO CALLED NATIONAL GOVT

Bala Saturday, 28 March 2015 03:24 PM

Udayanga is a diplomat - how did he get guns - unless these were Sri Lankan arms sold surreptitously through his Defence Ministry cousin and he was only the negotiator.

Eds Saturday, 28 March 2015 01:04 PM

Since when did the government become the judiciary to pass judgements ?

Premalal Saturday, 28 March 2015 12:49 PM

Ukraine was an independent country before the Russians concurred it. So were many others such as Georgia, Latvia etc. Thereafter the Russians populated them with their own. The Russians have been more imperialist and more brutal than the imperial West.

Sri Wickrema Saturday, 28 March 2015 12:46 PM

Another frog in the well. These idiots will never understand the gravity of this diplomatic crime.

Basnayaka Saturday, 28 March 2015 12:31 PM

Like Arjun Mahendran he is also not guilty.

Kaya Saturday, 28 March 2015 12:29 PM

Why cant you ask the expert opinion from India or US????

suhada Saturday, 28 March 2015 12:16 PM

those ukrenias are betreting the legasy of formar soviet union,,,they are very much part of US conspiracy to destroy putins russia...if mr udayanga had done so,,well done sir.we proud of u...those russian back fighters not only fighting with Ukrain army Also with hole US and europian empirialists.some body must help tham someway...

kuk kuk Saturday, 28 March 2015 11:16 AM

Lankawe keli Rusiyaweth karala !

Yohan Saturday, 28 March 2015 11:02 AM

Guys your team is Pin Ibbas either work & add value to our system or if not keep out of politics do not waste time of the country. No need poor excuses. via DM Android App

Lima Saturday, 28 March 2015 10:19 AM

AJITH , WHY YOU SCARED TO TELL THE TRUTH , WHOM YOU FEAR , YOU FEAR ONLY GOD ALMIGHTY , EVEN IF YOU WANTED TO DIE TELL THE TRUTH , UDAYANGA IS THE FIRST COUSIN OF MAHINDA , THEY HAVE DONE THE DAMAGE AND ROBBED ALL MONEY AND ALL DEAL , WHY NOT GO INTO DETAIL

C.K.Lankaputhra Saturday, 28 March 2015 09:44 AM

Rajapaksa kith and kin were accused of nefarious activities. Next question is under whose blessings.

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Govt. can’t say whether Udayanga guilty or not: Dy. Minister

Comments - 24

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