(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) – Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga, who has been inssued an Interpol Red Notice, had been arrested by the Dubai authorities yesterday, the state run Daily News reported.
According to the report, Ravi Waidyalankara, the Senior DIG in charge of the Financial Crimes Investigation Department (FCID) told the Daily News that the Dubai authorities had arrested him based on the investigations and submissions made by the FCID. He had been arrested by the Dubai authorities on Monday morning.
The former Ambassador to Russia and Ukraine had been evading an arrest warrant issued on 20 October 2016 by a Colombo Magistrate, in relation to investigations pertaining to alleged embezzlement of public funds to the tune of 7.833 million US dollars with regard to procurement of MiG aircraft and money laundering.
Currently, the FCID is in discussion with the Dubai authorities with regard to handing the ex-diplomat over to the Sri Lankan authorities.
Previously, Dubai police detained Weeratunga on 4th February at the Dubai International Airport or questioning while he was in transit to travel to the United States.
However, a special team comprising officers from the FCID, Criminal Investigation Division (CID), Foreign Ministry, Attorney Generals’ Department and Department of Immigration and Emigration sent to Dubai to extradite the fugitive ex-diplomat based on a warrant obtained from the Colombo Fort Magistrate had to return empty-handed since he had been released by the Dubai police.
