Diyawadana Nilame grilled by the FCID

Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara was yesterday questioned by the Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) over an alleged financial fraud that took place in the Sri Dalada Maligawa.

Police Spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said that he was summoned to record a statement regarding financial irregularities in the funds of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Dalada Maligawa).

The Anti-Corruption Front recently filed a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption against Bandara while accusing him of misusing funds and property of the Dalada Maligawa.

The complaint claims that Nilanga Dela had obtained money from 25 companies without approval from the Chief Custodian and Board of Trustees, in violation of the Mahanuwara Esala Perahera Trust Act, and that he also exceeded his authority as the Diyawadana Nilame in dividing into lots and selling the Udagedara Watta property, belonging to the Dalada Maligawa.

It is reported that he has also been charged with using the gold received by the Dalada Maligawa to accessorise his ‘Mini Cooper’ car.

The complaint was filed by Venerable Ulapane Sumangala Thero, JHU Media Secretary Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe and Attorney-at-Law Shiral Lakthilaka, on behalf of the Anti-Corruption Front, on 29 January.

Dela Bandara was elected as the 19th Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa on 1 July 2005.