Alleged irregularities in procuring CTB spare parts

Friday, 4 November 2016 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By S. S. Selvanayagam

The Supreme Court yesterday re-fixed the fundamental rights petitions filed by former Transport Minister Kumara Welgama and former SLTB Chairman’s nephew Shashi Welgama to 8 February 2017.

The duo complained against the Finance Crimes Investigation Division’s (FCID) inquiry into the alleged irregularities of the procurement and supply of tax-exempted motor spare parts to SLTB.

The former Minister and his nephew alleged that they are being discriminated against because of their political views, violating their fundamental rights. They claimed the collusive acts of the Respondents causes an imminent infringement of their right to equality and equal protection of the law, right to hold their political opinion without discrimination and right to freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention.

They are asking the court to issue an Interim Order preventing their arrest and remand by the Respondents in connection with the MC Colombo Case No. B 3481/3/15 until the final determination of their petitions. Welgama in his petition complains that after the Presidential Electons of 2015, there was a massive campaign to harm the political activists and supporters of the UPFA.

He claims that the FCID was established for specific purpose and that investigation has been commenced by the FCID regarding the alleged irregularities said to have occurred between the periods of 2011 to 2015 at the SLTB on the complaint made by J. S. A. Wickramasinghe.

The matter came up before the Bench comprising Justices Priyasath Dep, Upaly Abeyrathne and Nalin Perera.

They cited OIC of the FCID Chief Inspector Ranasinghe ASP P. K. Serasinghe, DIG Ravi Waidyalankara the IGP and the Attorney General as Respondents.

Gamini Marapana PC with Kalinga Indratissa PC, Buddhika Jayasinghe, Navin Marapana and Uchitha Wickramasinghe instructed by Tharanatha Paliyaguruge appeared for the Petitioners. Deputy Solicitor General Yohan Abeywickrama and Senior State Counsel Madhava Tennekoon appeared for the Attorney General.