Udayanga's request to temporarily suspend his travel ban rejected

August 12, 2022

An application made on behalf of former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga requesting to temporarily suspend his travel ban was today rejected by Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court.

Udayanga Weeratung through his lawyer today made an application to temporarily suspend the travel ban since he is expecting to attend a trade seminar.

However, the CID raised uncertainty about Udayanga's arrival if his travel ban is lifted. The CID informed court that Udayanga had been notably evading courts between 2015 and 2019. Taking into consideration the facts, Magistrate Thilina Gamage declined to an order lifting the travel ban imposed against the suspect.

The court had imposed travel ban against Udayanga Weeratung over the alleged MiG Aircraft deal. The value of the alleged 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 aircrafts for the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF).