CID trying to sweep ‘lentil’ probe under rug: Two Aussies write to Prez!

Inspector General of Police (CGP) C.D.Wickramaratne has been ordered to launch an immediate investigation into a written complaint made by two Australian citizens to President Ranil Wickremesinghe that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has tried to sweep the investigations related to a fraud of USD 243,610 under the rug. 

The letter addressed to the President was sent by Rajaratne Manoj Dushyantha and Maxwell Marvin Perera, the directors of the Australian company Bulk Buy Grains (Aus) Pty Ltd registered at Unit 11, 24-26 Carrick Drive, TULLAMARINE VIC 3043.

The two Australian businessmen had entered into an agreement with a company called Life Australia (Pty) Ltd at the address 52B1,Seewali Mawatha, Kothalawala in Kaduwela to send lentils from Australia to Sri Lanka.

Accordingly, Life Australia (Pty) Ltd has started a business of importing lentils to Sri Lanka, cleaning them, distributing them in Sri Lanka and re-exporting.

Life Australia (Pty) Ltd is said to be owned by Tharanga Sajeevani Perera.

The two Australian businessmen, who were unable to visit Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 pandemic, have conducted their business online.

In their letter, they said the Sri Lankan businessman had misplaced 10 containers filled with lentil sent from Australia. They came to Sri Lanka and lodged a complaint at the CID due to non-receipt of money for the containers.

They also said the lentil cleaning plant, which had been built from funds worth Rs.100 million sent by them, is also now missing.

After making a complaint to the Piliyandala Police, the two businessmen went to observe the venue along with the police officers.

A few days later, a man had complained to the Piliyandala Police saying that a group of people had trespassed his property and threatened him.

According to the letter, the CID had conducted investigations properly at the initial stage. However, the investigation officer has been removed from the CID today.

The two businessmen have informed the Australian High Commission, the Minister of Public Security, the Attorney General, the IGP and the Senior DIG (Western Province) in writing about the incident.

They requested the President to ensure that foreign investors are given due protection and treated fairly.

Meanwhile, an investigation carried out by Sri Lanka Mirror revealed that the Australian businessmen have alleged that the police investigation has been suppressed due to the intervention of Samuditha, the son of Sri Lanka Podujana Education Services Union President Wasantha Handapangoda who was arrested over violent incidents on May 9, 2022.

It was reported that Samuditha has exerted undue influence in this manner since he is to wed Tharanga Sajeevani Perera.

The letter sent by the two Australians to the President.

The lentil cleaning plant which is located at 52B1, Seewali Mawatha, Kaduwela.