A debate took place in Parliament on Friday with regard to Sri Lanka’s former Ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga.

Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva pointed out that on October 20, 2016, Interpol issued an Open Warrant for Udayanga Weeratunga but there are a number of reasons why his arrest is being delayed.

The deputy minister explained that since the necessary documents and information pertaining to this case needs to be obtained through the governments of Ukraine, Singapore and Hong Kong, it is being reported that this process will take time. He stated that in addition, assistance has been requested from Interpol in order to arrest him while assistance from the Ukrainian and Singaporean police have also been requested in order to make the arrest.

JVP MP, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa charged that on March 6 , Udayanga Weeratunga’s wife arrived in Sri Lanka and collected his “normal passport” in lieu of his diplomatic passport, and went back with both passports. He stated that this issuance of passports took place in an environment where all these allegations were being levelled against him and you are now seeking the assistance of Interpol since the Foreign Ministry issued orders to the Controller of Immigration and Emigration to issue those passports, he charged.

“You could not catch the prey even when it landed in your hand”, he said

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