Blue Mountain scam:"Government should seize assets before legal proceedings"-Janaka Edirisinghe

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Maharu Ferosh Hettiarachchi, a Director of Blue Mountain arrested for property fraud was granted bail by the Kesbewa Magistrate's Court today(July 29). However, as cases against him were still in progress at other courts, the suspect was placed under remand custody. Attorney's representing the aggrieved parties requested for a report on the progress of the relevant police investigations to be produced before the court. Accordingly, the court ordered the Mount Lavinia ASP to present a report in this regard during the next court session. In addition, the court permitted to obtain a statement from the secretary of Blue Mountain. Defence Counsel appearing for the suspect requested their client to be granted bail citing he was in remand for more than 04 months. The court ordered the suspect be released on a cash bail of Rs 100,000 and two surety bails of Rs. 2.5 million each. In addition, the suspect was ordered to be present before the Special Investigation Unit in Mount Lavinia, on the last Sunday of every month. The case will be taken up again on the 16th of September 16th. Attorney-at-law Janaka Edirisinghe shared his thoughts on the matter. He noted that the authorities were blind until the Blue Mountain farce hit the road. He noted that therefore the government, or the Attorney General's Department or the Central Bank on behalf of the government should intervene in this matter. He clarified that according to the civil law when a financial fraud which involves over Rs 1500mn has occurred the government has the authority to seize assets and property before any legal proceeding as it would allow in compensating the aggrieved parties by selling or auctioning them. He finally noted that the government should have already intervened in the matter and it was humorous that they have remained silent so far.