The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today granted approval to a request from police seeking to issue an arrest warrant for Sri Lanka’s former Ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga.
Police requested the court to issue a warrant through Interpol for the ex-diplomat’s arrest as a statement was required from him in connection with the controversial USD 10 million deal to buy four MiG-27 fighter jets in 2006.
The court instructed police to proceed with further investigations into the incident.
Multiple requests made by police previously seeking the issuance of an Interpol ‘Red Notice’ on Weeratunga had been turned down by the court on the grounds that former Ambassador had not been named as a suspect in the case.
The Sri Lankan Air Force had signed an agreement with Ukrainian firm Ukrinmash to buy four MiG fighters at a cost of USD 2.462 million each as well as overhauling four existing SLAF MiG-27 aircraft.
