The Colombo Additional Magistrate’s Court has ordered the release of businessman and Aura Lanka Company Chairman Viranjith Thambugala from a Criminal Investigation Department case alleging the misappropriation of Rs.70 million in connection with a helicopter purchase, Newswire reported.
Colombo Additional Magistrate Darshika Premaratne issued the order on Friday after being informed that the Attorney General had advised there was no basis to pursue criminal proceedings against the suspect.
The magistrate also lifted the foreign travel ban that had been imposed on Thambugala while the case was under investigation.
The case had been filed by the Financial and Commercial Crimes Investigation Division of the CID following a complaint by Arthur Senanayake, the head of IWS Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, alleging that Rs.70 million had been obtained fraudulently in relation to a helicopter purchase.
Appearing for Thambugala, Attorney Upali Jayamanne told court that the complaint had been filed maliciously against his client, claiming that several high-ranking politicians at the time had personal differences with the businessman.
Thambugala has been a recurring figure in earlier accountability coverage: he was granted bail in May 2024 in connection with related investigations. The Friday order closes the helicopter-purchase track of his exposure.
Source: Newswire.
