The BIA Police at Katunayake had information that certain employees of SriLankan Airlines, attached to the baggage ramp area are having assets to a higher value which they could not have acquired with their salaries,OIC, Chief Inspector Jayanath Wanasinghe told the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) on irregularities at SriLankan Airlines, SriLankan Catering and Mihin Lanka on Monday.
"We have received a number of complaints regarding lost baggage at the airport. After an investigation conducted, our investigators found that some employees in the baggage ramp area werehaving a lot of assets", he said.
SriLankan Airlines Security Division has identified 57 airline employees, including security personnel, who are suspected to be involved in pilfering of baggage and the victims were mostly those returning from the Middle East, the PCoI was informed earlier. However, the OIC said there are some complaints received by them, which are to be investigated.
The Chief Inspector also denied allegations previously made by the Investigation Manager of SriLankan Airlines Sajith Vinodhahewa that the Police often refused to investigate the complaints they filed. Vinodhahewa added that the police asked the airline security division to conduct its own investigations.
Testifying before the Commission, Vinodhahewa on Monday also insisted that the BIA Police advised them to conduct an internal investigation when they informed Police regarding a detection over the phone.
"Do you have written evidence?" Senior State Counsel, Fazly Razik, who led the evidence asked. "No, we usually contact them over the phone," Vinodhahewa said.
"Why can’t you send someone and lodge a complaint?" the Senior State Counsel askead, "I think you are trying to mislead the PCoI. If there is an issue you can tell the Police Headquarters. Without lodging a formal complaint with the police you have been trying to stop a proper investigation being conducted."
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