MP denies trying to help fugitive through BIA

Person accused in case of whiskey turning to coloured water given bail

By Shamindra Ferdinando- 2022/01/19

Colombo District SLPP lawmaker Madura Vithanage yesterday (18) denied making an attempt to help fugitive Jayalath Krishan Peiris leave the Bandaranaike International Airport, recently, having arrived from Dubai.

MP Vithanage said that Peiris was on the same Emirates flight 652 with him though they weren’t together. “Yes, I knew him though didn’t in any way try to take him out through the VIP section,” lawmaker Vithanage said. The flight arrived at the BIA in the early hours of January 10.

MP Vithanage said so when The Island sought his response to accusations regarding him trying to help Peiris leave the BIA. Having informed Peiris that there was an open warrant for him, law enforcement authorities had taken him away, MP Vithanage said.

A social media post alleged that Puttalam District MP and State Minister Arundika Fernando had been there to receive Peiris. Journalist Tharindu Uduwegedara, who made the allegation said the detection that had been made at the BIA by law enforcement authorities didn’t receive the required media attention.

MP Vithnage said that his colleague Arundika Fernando had been there to receive Peiris and therefore he witnessed the intervention made by authorities; MP Fernando didn’t answer his mobile phone.

Peiris has been previously investigated by the Customs for the illegal importation of ethanol and was also remanded for the same offense on a different occasion.

MP Vithanage said that he would lodge complaints with the TRC (Telecommunications Regulatory Commission), the PCC (Press Complaints Commission) and the police against what he called extremely unfair reportage on social media.

According to the first time entrant to the Parliament those who produced and posted videos on social media didn’t at least bother to contact him.

Airport and Aviation Chairman General (retd.) G.A. Chandrasiri, declined to comment on the incident.

Police spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa told The Island that Criminal Investigations Department (CID) unit based at the BIA arrested Peiris on the basis of an open warrant issued by courts. Attorney-at-Law Thalduwa emphasized that there hadn’t been any interference by any party and the suspect later produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, was granted bail. The top police official denied the CID informing him of the presence of lawmakers at the time Peiris was arrested.

Counsel for Peiris, Sanka Amarjith said that his client returned to the country fulfilling an assurance to the court that he would come back. The Counsel emphasized that his client didn’t face any narcotics related offense as speculated but was taken into custody regarding an ongoing case.

Peiris was wanted in connection with investigations into a Customs racket carried out at the Global Park bonded warehouse at Seeduwa run by Global Transportation and Logistics (Pvt) Ltd. The Customs sealed the place in August 2020 in the wake of a CID probe into the collusion of Customs officers in the stealing of imported bottles of whiskey meant for re-export and releasing them to the local market.

Former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake’s wife Mela and daughter Onella served on the director board of the company that runs the Global Park.

Cases of Johnnie Walker Black Label were being taken from Global Park to the Ace Container Yard in Wattala for re-export on August 14 when midway, around 900 bottles were replaced with bottles containing coloured water, authoritative sources said.

Items that are stored in bonded warehouses are duty-free and strictly for re-export. When transported anywhere in the country, even between warehouses, Customs officials must accompany the goods.