Defrauding SL workers in Middle East: CID concludes investigations against suspect

• Magistrate Lochana Weerasinghe ordered the suspect to be released on two sureties of Rs.15 million. 

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda

The CID yesterday informed court that it has concluded investigations against the former operations manager of Delma Exchange, a money exchange centre in Abu Dhabi for alleged fraudulent remittance of Rs.243 million to five bank accounts belonging to his wife and family members. 

The suspect Iresha Wickremasinghe, who served as the operations manager of Delma Exchange from 2010 to 2017, was arrested and produced before Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court by the CID.  
The suspect had allegedly defrauded the monthly payments remitted by Sri Lankan workers working in the Middle East to their family members.  

The court was informed that the suspect had committed this offence after making changes to the statistics relevant to the money received by the Delma Exchange from the Sri Lankan workers.

  
Counsel Didula Rajapaksa, who appeared for the suspect, moved court that his client be released on bail since court has already imposed a travel ban against him.  Counsel Deshan Hewawithana with Dilshan Karunaratne instructed by Sudath Perea Associates appeared for the aggrieved parties and the complainant of the money exchange centre.  

Having considered the submissions, Magistrate Lochana Weerasinghe ordered the suspect to be released on two sureties of Rs.15 million. Further magisterial inquiry fixed for December 8.