Treasury officials processed $ 2.5 m payment using emailed invoices without verification

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CID says no checks made against original loan agreement before transfer
Four CDs containing server data to undergo forensic analysis at University of Colombo

Officials of the Department of External Resources processed a loan repayment transaction linked to the fraudulent transfer of $ 2.5 million belonging to the Treasury using invoices received via email, without verifying the payment instructions against the original loan agreement or seeking additional confirmation, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Presenting a progress report on the investigation before Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena, CID officers said the payment had been made based on invoices received through the email address of Export Finance Australia.

Investigators told Court that no inquiries had been made to verify the payment instructions against the original agreement or obtain further information before the funds were transferred.

The CID further informed Court that data relating to the transaction had been extracted from the relevant server systems and copied for analysis. Investigators sought permission to forward four compact discs (CDs) containing the data to the Forensic Computing Division of the University of Colombo for further examination.

The Magistrate granted permission for the forensic analysis.

CID officers also told Court that statements had been recorded from 42 individuals in connection with the investigation.

Investigators additionally produced a copy of the post-mortem inquiry report relating to the death of Department of External Resources Assistant Director Ranga Nishantha Rajapaksha, who died while under suspension over matters connected to the incident.

The CID further informed Court that a representative from the Attorney General’s Department is expected to appear at a future hearing to assist the Court in relation to the investigation.

The case was postponed to 8 July.