The indictment in a bribery case filed under two serious accusations, one involving financial loss to the government through the printing of Vesak cards during the tenure of Piyankara Jayaratne as Civil Aviation Minister, was formally presented before Colombo Chief High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne yesterday (04 Aug).
According to the Dinamina newspaper, the former minister, who had been released on bail, was present in court during the hearing.
After court interpreter Malshi Fernando read out the charges, the accused pleaded not guilty to all allegations brought against him.
Subsequently, the examination of evidence commenced. Former Deputy Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority, Panduka Priyanka Jayawira, testified during this phase.
During cross-examination, President’s Counsel Shavendra Fernando, appearing on behalf of the defendant, raised objections over the presentation of secondary evidence allegedly submitted improperly.
The court accepted the objection and scheduled a date to address matters related to the secondary evidence. The next hearing is fixed for October 14. Attorney Ishani Rajapaksa appeared for the complainant.
This case was filed under the allegation that the printing of 3,000 Vesak cards between May 10 and June 6, 2013, caused a financial loss of Rs. 128,520 to the government.
The complainant named 11 witnesses. The accused was released on bail comprising Rs. 25,000 in cash and a Rs. 2.5 million personal surety.
In addition to this case, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption has filed three more cases against the accused.
One allegation involves coercing officials of the Civil Aviation Authority to approve a payment of Rs. 360,000 to Mahaweli Paddy Farms Pvt Ltd, resulting in financial loss.
Another involves influencing officials to deposit Rs. 494,000 into an account at the National Savings Bank branch in Chilaw, again leading to a loss for the government.
There is also an additional case filed under the accusation of creating a non-existent position within the ministry and making extra salary payments to his personal secretary. (Newswire)