A businessman remanded over Garlic Scam

A businessman arrested for allegedly aiding and abetting to remove two containers with 54,000 kilograms of garlic belonging to Lanka Sathosa was yesterday ordered to be remanded till September 28 by Welisara Magistrate's Court.

Suspect Welaudam Sri Dharan, the sole proprietor of S.K Traders was arrested on the charges of aiding and abetting, criminal breach of trust, concealing information and the unlawful release of goods and produced before Welisara Magistrate Heshantha de Mel. Counsel Darshana Kuruppu appearing with Buddhika Thilakarathne, Chinthaka Udadeniya and Shabhani Kaluugamage submitted to the court that their client's uncle has gone to Sri Lanka Port Authority to submit the relevant documents for the auction scheduled on 08.09.2021 to buy uncleared perishable cargo containers lying at CICT yard as per a notice published by a national newspaper.

Then Sri Lanka Ports Authority has informed my client's uncle that Lanka Sathosa Limited has already bought the containers and an official of Sri Lanka Ports Authority has given the mobile number of an officer attached to Lanka Sathosa Limited to see whether he can buy garlic from Sathosa.

Then my client's uncle had conveyed this information to another businessman.

Through this businessman, a well-known businessman has bought the garlic containers.

Defence Counsel Kuruppu contended that his client has no knowledge about the fraud and further said there is no iota of evidence against his client that he aided and abetted to commit any offence.

Meanwhile, defence counsel alleged that police have arrested his client, without arresting real perpetrators involved in the fraud.

The Special Crimes Investigation Unit of the Peliyagoda Police is conducting further investigations.

On a previous occasion, the Deputy General Manager of the Sathosa Financial Division had been arrested and remanded in connection with the illegal removal of two containers with 54,000 kilograms of garlic. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)