Garlic scam at Welisara Sathosa Warehouse: “How can a whistle-blower become a suspect?”

Former Executive Director Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) Thushan Gunawardena speaking to the Daily Mirror questions as to why the person who exposed the fraud has been named as a suspect while those who were involved in the fraud have been reinstated.

Former Executive Director Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) Thushan Gunawardena who unearthed the garlic scam that took place at Welisara Sathosa Warehouse last year has been cited as a suspect in the same case.
In a twist of events, the whistleblower into the Lanka Sathosa garlic scam, is banned from leaving the country and his attempt to travel abroad on a private visit on January 21, has been prevented by the Immigration Officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

"I believe, certain elements from the Police including a Senior DIG who is in charge of the Western Province is 
behind this fiasco"

Speaking to the Daily Mirror newspaper, Gunawardena accused Sri Lanka Police for distorting the evidence provided on the scam and naming him as a suspect. According to Gunawardena, this is the first time, he has come across a ‘suspect’ in a Court case being banned from leaving the country but has been allowed to retain the passport, without being impounded despite of the travel ban. “I believe, certain elements from the Police including a Senior DIG who is in charge of the Western Province is behind this fiasco. Without the senior DIG’s knowledge how can the police cite me as a suspect for the scam I was not involved in but for merely exposing fraud. I have named certain high ranking politicians who are alleged to have been involved in the fraud and I believe this is the reason to name me as a suspect,”Gunawardena said.
Excerpts:  

"I was told by the Immigration officers on duty, that there is a travel ban against me"

  Q   Didn’t you know that you have been cited as a suspect in the garlic scam case?  

How can the whistleblower become a suspect? I have no idea about this. This is not the only scam I have exposed but few others as well. I believe those who don’t want me to highlight these scams in the media are behind this sinister move to name me as a suspect.

  Q   At which point at the airport were you informed that there is a travel ban on you?  

This happened on January 21. After I was checked-in and my baggage was dropped off at the baggage counter, I proceeded towards the Immigration where I was stopped. I was told by the Immigration officers on duty, that there is a travel ban against me. I was confused for a while thinking that they were referring to another person. They gave me the case details (Case No: B 2909/21 Welisara MC). Since this is a case filed at the Welisara MC, I assumed that it was the garlic case. Before the aircraft departed, I was able to get my luggage back.

"I have named certain high ranking politicians who are alleged to have been involved in the fraud and I believe this is the reason to name me as a suspect"

  Q   Have you checked with the Court whether you have been cited as a suspect in this case?  

My lawyers are now in the process of going through these case records.  

  Q   Whom do you suspect behind this plan?  

Sri Lanka Police were established long time ago to look after the citizens of this country but not to look after the politicians of the day. Just because I have named certain politicians alleged to have involved in this scam, I believe not all police officers but most of the police officers whose prime duty is to look after politicians have named me as a suspect to please their masters. I believe, this was done maliciously by the police to arrest me on false charges. I am expecting the police to come to my residence at any time and arrest me.
If I am a suspect, why didn’t the police arrest and produce me in Courts?  

"Other than from Court, I do not expect any fair play from any other institution especially from the police"

  Q   Was it you who lodged the complaint regarding this fraud? If so in which police station?  

When I received an anonymous call, I immediately deployed CAA officials to visit the warehouse and collect evidence and lodge a complaint. I was not a member of this group who lodged the complaint.

  Q   Have you ever been summoned to the police with regard to this fraud?  

Yes to the CID to give a statement. I gave a comprehensive detail on how CWE obtained 56,000kg of garlic consignment recommended by the Food and Drug Inspectors as fit for human consumption, from the Sri Lanka Ports Authority in September, 2021 without paying taxes and how the entire stock which was meant to be sold at Lanka Sathosa retail outlets for the consumers at an affordable price was sold to a trader within few hours of its reach to the Welisara warehouse. Other than the CID, the police never took any statement from me in this regard.

"As I have confidence with the judicial system, I will be filing a Fundamental Rights application in Court within the next few days and my lawyers are preparing the documents now"

  Q   What is your next move?  

As I have confidence with the judicial system, I will be filing a Fundamental Rights application in Court within the next few days and my lawyers are preparing the documents now. While the whistleblower has been cited as a suspect, those who were directly involved in this scam have now been reinstated. What a joke this is. Is there law and order in this country now? Other than from Court, I do not expect any fair play from any other institution especially from the police. I urge the President, Minister in charge of Police, the IGP and the Attorney General to investigate why the person who exposed the fraud has been named as a suspect while those who were involved in the fraud have been reinstated.

  Q    In this backdrop, do you think there will be a threat to you?  

From the time I exposed these scams, I have been under threat. Although I complained to the police, they have never took any action so far.