Sarana Gunawardena arrested

Former Petroleum Industries Deputy Minister and former Chairman of Development Lotteries Board (DLB) Sarana Gunawardena was arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) yesterday on charges of misusing public properties during his tenure as the Chairman of the Lotteries Board.

Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne ordered Gunawardena to be remanded until 18 September as there are no exceptional circumstances to release him.

The former UPFA MP is charged under the Public Property Act for misusing a state vehicle valued over Rs. 8 million, while he was serving as the Chairman of the Development Lotteries Board during the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government.

Police alleged that the suspect had imported the luxury vehicle, valued at over Rs. 8 million, and authorities are yet to find the vehicle’s whereabouts.

On 20 July, Gunawardena pleaded guilty in two corruption cases filed against him by the Bribery Commission for not declaring his assets and liabilities. (Colombopage)