By A case involving an alleged fraudulent lease of a two-story property belonging to the National Works Institute for Rs. 3.6 million has drawn widespread public attention. The Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court today (February 21) ordered the aggrieved party to submit written submissions by March 7 regarding the fraudulent deed that was allegedly used in the transaction.
Despite clear court orders to arrest the suspects on two separate occasions, law enforcement authorities have failed to comply, citing the need for legal directives from the Attorney General. President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne, representing the aggrieved party, pointed out to the court that the police were misleading the judicial process.
Disputed Leadership and Fraudulent Deeds
The case has taken a political turn as National People’s Power (NPP) Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe is linked to the disputed leadership of the National Workers’ Congress (NWC). According to a CID report, Samarasinghe claimed to have been appointed NWC chairman on September 3, 2017. However, records from the Department of Labour indicate that Mayura Dharmawardhana and his executive committee were officially recognized as the legitimate leadership until 2024.
Documents submitted to the court reveal that Wasantha Samarasinghe and his associate Cyril Anandasiri, acting as chairman and vice chairman of NWC, had signed lease agreements for the disputed property on February 10, 2020. These transactions were formalized through rental deeds numbered 166, 206, and 207.
Law Enforcement’s Stance
When questioned about the availability of sufficient evidence to warrant an arrest, fraud investigation officers admitted to the court that no concrete evidence had yet been uncovered. Officials further explained that an ongoing case in the Kaduwela District Court regarding the ownership of the disputed property had complicated their ability to establish criminal wrongdoing. Due to this uncertainty, they had sought legal advice on how to proceed.
Public Scrutiny on NPP’s Anti-Corruption Pledge
This case has attracted intense public interest, given that the NPP government, which came to power with a strong mandate against corruption, now faces allegations involving one of its ministers. With the next hearing set for March 7, political observers are keenly watching whether the government will uphold its pledge for transparency and accountability.
