The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has questioned the Director of the Presidential Secretariat’s Transport Division for nearly six and a half hours in connection with the disappearance of 29 vehicles, including 12 motorcycles, valued at several crores of rupees. The vehicles in question belong to the Presidential Secretariat.
According to police sources, the investigation was launched following a written complaint by the current Presidential Secretary, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, to the Inspector General of Police. Among the missing vehicles are nine cars, 12 motorcycles, six cabs, and two tractors.
An audit report from the Audit Department in 2022 revealed that 51 out of more than 800 vehicles assigned to the Presidential Secretariat had gone missing. While efforts led to the recovery of 22 vehicles, 29 remain unaccounted for.
The Director of the Transport Division, identified as Mahesh Hewawitharana, was summoned to the CID for questioning. Despite the lengthy interrogation, no significant information was uncovered that could aid in the recovery of the missing vehicles. It is reported that Hewawitharana has maintained proper records since assuming his post, but older files are missing. He has requested a period of three weeks to locate the missing documents.
A senior police officer confirmed that while Hewawitharana’s statement did not provide crucial leads, the investigation will continue using alternative methods to track down the missing vehicles.
