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Sajin Vass Gunawardena

Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, is a controversial Sri Lankan politician, former MP and businessman. He was member of Parliament of Sri Lanka, and was the former CEO of Mihin Lanka government sponsored budget airline. He also served as coordinating secretary on trade and foreign affairs to the President of Sri Lanka. Prior to entering parliament in 2010 he was a member of the southern provincial council. Sajin has been involved in several controversies, and was widely criticised for his role as CEO of Mihin Lanka and for his involvement in the bankruptcy and financial misfortune of the airline.

Personal
Born in Sri Lanka, he attended Royal College, Colombo. Sajin's father, Abeydeera De Vass Gunawardena was the Director General of BOI. ==Career==
Career
Early career As per media reports, in 1995, Sajin started working as a Project Development Manager with the Grayline Group. He reportedly used his father's position to access BOI. However, during an interview given to local magazine Business Today, Sajin said that he started working with Hayleys. Sajin attempted to join politics during his early working career and approached sitting Prime Minister's office for a position. He was however refused a place by Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister who was told that Sajin had a criminal track record. As per media reports, Ranil Wickremesinghe advised Sajin to clear his name first. Sajin then migrated to Dubai to work with Trico and allegedly fell out with the management. It was during his stay in Dubai, the then Leader of the Opposition Mahinda Rajapakse travelled to Dubai and Sajin happened to meet him and escorted him around in Dubai. Sajin subsequently returned to Colombo to join politics when asked by Mahinda Rajapakse. Political career In 2010, Sajin contested and won elections from Galle constituency in Sri Lanka as a United People's Freedom Alliance candidate. He has also served as coordinating secretary on trade and foreign affairs to the President of Sri Lanka. Prior to entering parliament in 2010 he was a member of the southern provincial council. ==Controversies==
Controversies
Sajin has been accused of and has been involved in several controversies ranging from fraud, criminal record, remand time, fraud bureau investigations, unpaid loans, spying, overstepping and unfulfilled promises. Reportedly Sajin misused his position in Mihin Lanka for personal gains and to that effect he appointed a company (in which his third wife was a director) in Singapore, as Passenger Sales Agent. Attack on ranil wickremasinghe On 11 June 2013, the then opposition leader Ranil Wickremasinghe’s convoy was attacked in Balapitiya. Ranil was visiting fishermen's families who were victims of a recent natural calamity in Sri Lanka. Ranil alleged that the attackers had received Sri Lankan government backing and that Sajin was responsible for this attack. Few days after the attack on the convey and Ranil's subsequent allegation on Sajin for conspiring the attack, Sajin made a call to Ranil to convey his apologies and also asked for his forgiveness. Attack on Dr. Chris Nonis In Sep 2014, Sajin allegedly attacked and assaulted Dr. Chris Nonis following an argument in New York. Chris was Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to Britain at that time and subsequently he tendered his resignation but later withdrew it also. Sajin denied the charges against him. Usd 2 billion aircraft purchase In Jan 2015, a complaint has been filed with Commission to Investigate Bribery or Corruption in Sri Lanka, asking for an investigation in purchase of aircraft and helicopters worth US$2.0 billion. The petition also mentioned financial irregularities and syphoning of funds by Sajin and his associate companies. Passport seized commission of Sri Lanka, in Jan 2015 ordered to seize passport of former MP Sajin Gunawardena and barred him from leaving the country for three months. This ban was in view of pending corruption investigations. Denied nomination for parliamentary election In Jul 2015, Sajin was denied a nomination by the UFPA for parliament election in Aug 2015. ==Arrests==
Arrests
May 2015 On 11 May 2015, Sajin was arrested by FCID (Financial CID) of Sri Lanka and sent to remand till 20 May 2015. Sajin was charged with misuse of 20 vehicles belonging to the President's Secretariat. Sajin's bail plea was rejected and remand was extended several times between May and September 2015. He was finally granted bail on 23 September 2015 on a surety bail of LKR 20 million and a cash bail of LKR one million. Jun 2016 On 27 June 2016, Sajin was arrested by the Financial CID of Sri Lanka and remanded till 5 July 2016. He was arrested for allegedly extorting money (LKR 610 million) from a Sri Lankan businessman, Krishna Selvanadan, and has also been charged with money laundering. He appeared before Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya on 5 July 2016 and was further remanded till 8 July 2016. Sajin was released on 8 July 2016 against cash bail of LKR 500,000 and 4 personal bails of LKR 500,000 each. Sep 2016 In September 2016, Sajin was arrested and sent to remand for causing LKR 883 million losses to Mihin Lanka during his term as the CEO of the airline. A case against him was filed on 16 August 2016. On 20 September 2016, Sajin was released against two surety bails of LKR 250,000 and LKR 40 million. == See also==
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