Udayanga detained at Dubai airport

4 February 2018 10:02 am - 21 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga had been reportedly detained at the Dubai Airport this morning, while in transit to the United States, sources said.

He was to be handed over to the Dubai Police by the immigration officers.

Udayanga Weeratunga, Sri Lanka’s former envoy to Russia was accused of being the centre of a probe into the acquisition of MiG-27 fighter jets from Ukraine, while he was also accused of supplying weapons to anti-Government forces.

Interpol arrest warrant was taken in October 2016 following an FCID request made to the Colombo Fort Magistrate.

On January 04, 2017 Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne ordered to suspend the transactions of 16 bank accounts with a balance of USD 1.5 million funds kept by Mr Weeratunga over the inquiry conducted into the huge financial loss caused to the Government in the purchase of Ukraine-built MIG-27 aircraft in 2006.

Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne on January 19 directed Attanagalle and Colombo Land Registrars to prevent the sale of Udayanga Weeratunga's properties found by the FCID, where Rs.40 million and a one-acre land worth of Rs.25 million in Dompe and a luxury apartment (Trillium Residencies) worth Rs.29 million in Borella.

On August 21, 2017, Weeratunga’s request to annul the arrest order was rejected by Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne.

However, Police sources told the Daily Mirror that although Mr Weeratunga was detained at the Dubai Airport it would take a considerable period to return him to country due to diplomatic and legal concerns. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)

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Comments - 21

T Mohideen Sunday, 04 February 2018 11:53 AM

Good news on our Independent Day

ANTON Sunday, 04 February 2018 12:18 PM

UDAYANDA WEERATHUNGE...........

Ronnie Bugger Sunday, 04 February 2018 12:23 PM

Beautiful, the best news to celebrate Independence. Bring him bavk handcuffed on the next available plane.

ANTON Sunday, 04 February 2018 12:40 PM

UDAYANGA, UDA YANDA GIHIN BIMA INDA VELA.

Justica USA Sunday, 04 February 2018 12:45 PM

FINALLY karma seems to be working. Arjun Alosyius, Palisena n now this fraudster all arrested on the same day...Thank you Dubai immigration, for a job weldone by nabbing him while on the way to US without even going through immigratin coz he was only on transit.Wonder from where his flight originated... Wow...MR will be in action to cut a deal with RW to have this scoundrel released.MS MUST be vigilant.

km Sunday, 04 February 2018 02:35 PM

don't get too excited... just election gimmicks.

sam Sunday, 04 February 2018 01:39 PM

If used sri lankan airport he would have escaped with bribes..since it is dubai he got caught

Ceylon Sunday, 04 February 2018 01:45 PM

This theif insulted lanka diplomatic service thay can never recover from his crimes commited as a srilankan embassodor.this is a haranthika type theif.just like others,he can offer 10p million to president,then can bail and next month holiday.

Mahila Sunday, 04 February 2018 01:53 PM

What? He was our best Diplomat in Russia. He negotiated the biggest country to country aid during the war to fight the terrorists. Even now we have the balance of that credit line to be used to purchase the navy ship after 3 years. We must have gratitude for the good deeds he did.

Mandy Monday, 05 February 2018 09:12 AM

What about the good deeds he did for HIMELF and cousins by getting hefty commissions on every deal you mention.

johan Sunday, 04 February 2018 02:22 PM

Bring him to Sri Lanka along with question GR also

Sincere Sunday, 04 February 2018 02:28 PM

Urgent supplementary estimate has been passed to renovate Prison hospital mansion!

JOLLY BIRD. Sunday, 04 February 2018 03:50 PM

A SWEET NEWS FOR THE COUNTRY ON INDEPENDENCE DAY BUT A VERY SAD NEWS FOR MR AND COMPANY. via DM Android App

Nihal Amarasekera Sunday, 04 February 2018 03:54 PM

Catch the MENTOR too; you know who.

vasaliya Monday, 05 February 2018 06:01 AM

Quick quick Rajapakse....Run to Ranil and cut a deal for quick bailout....Run boy, run to Ranil. Dont worry Udayanga....Papa MR is there to help and Uncle Ranil won't say no....

johan Monday, 05 February 2018 09:12 AM

Interpol has done its job but it is doubt Sri Lankan authorities will do their job

Doug Monday, 05 February 2018 09:49 AM

I hope we have some sort of elections once a year, only then govt gets activated at least for show

SAM Monday, 05 February 2018 09:54 AM

After all its the people who have to get these crooks arrested. So forget about all the race, color, party or what ever and give the vote to the right candidates for your own future.

Dr Lakshman Fernando Monday, 05 February 2018 10:12 AM

This is nothing compare to arrest of Arjun Aloysius, Kasun Palisena. What about Arjune mahendran, Ravi, Ranil

sumith Monday, 05 February 2018 10:42 AM

MR would have started purging. Then suddenly he remembered Ranil is the PM. All is well now.

chandra Monday, 05 February 2018 02:03 PM

Do not worry. Prison Hospital is ready. Doctors are ready. MIG is ready.

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Udayanga detained at Dubai airport

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