Colombo court extends arrest warrant for former Sri Lankan Ambassador to US

by Abi
Aug 1, 2018

The arrest warrant of former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the USA, Jaliya Wickremasuriya, was extended on Tuesday by the Colombo Fort Magistrate judge.

Jaliya Wickramasuriya served as Sri Lanka’s ambassador in Washington from July 2008 to May 2014 and is wanted by Sri Lanka’s Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) over the alleged misuse of government spending. It is alleged that there were irregularities in the purchase of a building to house the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington DC.

He is also accused of accepting a US$ 332,000 “commission” during his tenure as ambassador, a transaction that US officials also spoke to him about.

The Defence submission alleges that Mr Wickremasuriya is not being allowed to leave the USA pending another investigation against him, after his diplomatic immunity was revoked.

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