Top SriLankan Airlines official faces arrest

A onetime top official of SriLankan Airlines under the previous regime is now facing arrest.

The move comes as the net is closing in on him after an investigation that is nearing completion by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID).

The FCID probe has revealed that the official concerned, whose name and alleged irregularities had already surfaced at the Commission of Inquiry now probing SriLankan Airlines, had amassed foreign currency to the tune of nearly ten million rupees in a foreign bank account.

FCID officials remained tight lipped about the country where the bank is located or how he had made large amounts of money.

However, the Sunday Times has learnt that the top official concerned had favoured a single party in several business transactions. For the help he extended, the parties involved had rewarded him with liberal foreign currency handouts.

Sources aware of the transactions say that the company in question which has been making payments has been identified, and proof of the funds lying in the bank has been obtained. The official concerned is to be taken into custody and produced in court.

This investigation is independent of the probe the Commission of Inquiry is now conducting on both SriLankan Airlines and Mihin Lanka.