November 03, Colombo (LNW): The Chairman of the National Lottery Board (NLB), M.D.C.A. Perera, has stated that the institution will initiate legal proceedings against two women—identified as the wife of MP Hesha Withanage and the sister-in-law of former Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam—on allegations of financial misconduct.
Perera revealed during a recent press briefing that the accused, who were employed as district representatives of the NLB, are suspected of misappropriating funds exceeding Rs. 120,000 from the sale of over half a million lottery tickets.
In response to the allegations, United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam addressed the media in Colombo on Friday (01), denying any involvement in the matter. He asserted that he had not issued letters authorising his relatives to act as sales representatives for the board.
However, documents allegedly dating back to 2016 have emerged, appearing to contradict his statement by showing letters that facilitated the appointment of new representatives to the NLB.
