Team sent to bring Udayanga return empty-handed

16 February 2018 07:34 am - 26 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The special seven-member team which was sent to Dubai to bring back former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga had returned home empty-handed on Tuesday (13), a senior official of the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) said.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, he said the special team comprising officers from the FCID, Criminal Investigation Division (CID), Foreign Ministry (FM), Attorney Generals’ Department and Department of Immigration and Emigration was sent to Dubai to bring the former ambassador back.

“The team had official discussions with the Interpol and later with the Sri Lankan consulate in Dubai before leaving for Abu Dhabi on February 7,” the official said.

This was after it was confirmed that Udayanga Weeratunga was residing in Dubai.

It was learnt that the diplomatic passport and another passport belonging to former Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga had been suspended and that he would not be permitted to leave Dubai.

Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said he had no concrete information on what had taken place as he had received updates on the activities of the team that was sent to extract the former diplomat only up to the time it left the country but had not been told what happened thereafter.

He told journalists to contact the Foreign Ministry for more information as it involved an international mission.

However, Foreign Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Mahishini Colonne corroborated the views expressed by SP Gunasekera and said it would be better to contact the FCID for inquiry.

Weeratunga was reportedly detained at the Dubai international airport when he tried to leave for the United States, due to a warrant issued for his arrest.

Police want to bring him back to Sri Lanka to face criminal charges over the 2006 MiG fighter jet deal. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)

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Comments - 26

gayathri Friday, 16 February 2018 11:23 AM

Another great achievement by the government. We appointed this government to eradicate corruption and now they are sending teams for Dubai shopping fests. Marvelous!

yaka mahathaya Friday, 16 February 2018 11:32 AM

aiyoooo. didn't they even go on a shopping spree at the expense of general public, after all they spent our money for airfares neh ?

Appuhamy Friday, 16 February 2018 11:52 AM

If a Appuhamy like me did this, I would have arrived in Sri Lanka with hand cuffed. Poh.........................

Jagath Leanage Friday, 16 February 2018 11:54 AM

Which means all the alegations fixed against him was false . What is this ? Is this , so called YAHAPALANAYA ?

lalith Friday, 16 February 2018 11:59 AM

Another down fall for the UNP for not getting the culprit????

Chandra Friday, 16 February 2018 12:05 PM

What a junket. Seven men to arrest one man. Some of them to carry the man’s bags.?This is the kind of joke played on the people of Sri Lanka by YAHAPALANAYA from Day 1.

Sincere Friday, 16 February 2018 12:07 PM

Jolly good! As long as they had nice trip, a fantastic holiday, a good shopping spree also may be a dessert safari, we are happy we spent what was needed from our pocket. After all we are deshapremies no?

Amal Friday, 16 February 2018 12:12 PM

All fault of MR. He has $18 b in Dubai , $20b in Singapore , another trillion in Africa according to highly talented Colombo ppl. But they cant even make a small "bokkuwa" properly. That's the bitter truth.

Anaj Friday, 16 February 2018 12:12 PM

Thanks for giving them tour via DM Android App

Nuwan Friday, 16 February 2018 12:25 PM

They can't catch thieves. That's why they lost.

Ceylon Friday, 16 February 2018 12:30 PM

Who doesnt know this??.it was sirisena and ranil's election tricks.but people punished them for these traitorous shows.

Nuwan Friday, 16 February 2018 12:32 PM

Blame the voters as much as you wish, this is what people could not stand. Look at this situation. Police don't know what is going on. The FA ministry doesn't know either. Then FCID may or may not know it either. From things high profile like this to day-to-day basic things such as garbage collection suffers the same damn confusion. People had enough.

Premalal Friday, 16 February 2018 12:35 PM

I am sure that shopping was great ..

Sanje Friday, 16 February 2018 12:39 PM

Dear 7 Member Team..Hope you had a good time in DXB from the tax payers money.Also Hope you bought something good at least from Duty free to Dr, Rajitha and The President,If not they will not send you again. By the way... please get ready to go to Singapore too....

Senanayake Friday, 16 February 2018 12:39 PM

On the bright side, chocolates from Dubai Duty free for everybody at the FCID office. Hurray!

Jagath Leanage Friday, 16 February 2018 12:42 PM

"නටපු නැටුමකුත් නැහැ , බෙරෙ පාළුවකුත් නැහැ".

HIran Friday, 16 February 2018 01:22 PM

Must have got a call form the former bigwig asking to let Weeratunga go in return for protecting the leadership of the PM.

bigmama Friday, 16 February 2018 01:30 PM

Don't worry. They had economy class tickets. Sitha nivana katha...

Ajja Friday, 16 February 2018 02:15 PM

Who is the Police chief,defense Minister and the Defense Secretary of Srilanka now...So inefficient... but the previous government was able to apprehend KP from abroad and escort to Srilanka.This is the difference between now and then....

gayathri Friday, 16 February 2018 02:24 PM

But nobody knows what happened to all the wealth and the ships. Did KP end up a minister like Karuna??

banabas Friday, 16 February 2018 02:38 PM

NO, these seven guys went on a taxpayer paid holiday to Dubai.

karthk Friday, 16 February 2018 03:14 PM

Congratulations- a job well done. MR and his team will appreciate the offials who spent the public money for nothing.

patriot Friday, 16 February 2018 03:18 PM

I can not understand how people digest and feed their children with stolen and ill-gotten wealth, could some religious leaders explain this?

Mahi Friday, 16 February 2018 03:45 PM

Cheers to the team went to Dubai!

parakum Friday, 16 February 2018 05:28 PM

Get SAGALA out, and give it to SF, he may show some action

Yeti Friday, 16 February 2018 07:09 PM

Empty handed? Did they check their wrists for gold bracelets?

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Team sent to bring Udayanga return empty-handed

Comments - 26

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