Udayanga makes an application to the High Court with a request to de-freeze his bank accounts

Former Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga today made a request from the Colombo High Court to issue an order de-freezing his bank accounts, which were frozen as a part of investigations into the alleged MiG aircraft deal. Filing a special motion before Colombo High Court Judge Damith Thotawatte, President's Counsel Anil Silva, appearing for Udayanga Weeratunga, made a request to release money from two bank accounts for his day-to-day expenses. The Financial Intelligence Unit had taken steps to freeze 16 bank accounts belonging to Udayanga Weeratunga, containing USD 2.5 million, and auction his consignment of goods brought down by the Port Authorities since he failed to pay demmorages. This application is to be taken up tomorrow (13) for the Attorney General's submissions. The value of the alleged MiG aircraft deal was estimated at US$14 million. This is in connection with the financial fraud that is alleged to have taken place in procuring seven MiG-27 ground attack aircraft for the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF).