The petition filed by former Minister Rajitha Senaratne, seeking an order suspending the arrest warrant issued against him, has been rejected by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.
Senaratne yesterday (18) filed a motion before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court seeking an order to temporarily suspend the arrest warrant issued against him in connection with a Bribery Commission investigation.
Earlier this month, the Colombo Magistrate’s Court issued a warrant for Senaratne’s arrest following submissions by the Bribery Commission.
Investigators allege that the former minister had failed to respond to multiple summons and had avoided giving a statement over a controversial contract awarded during his tenure.
The case is tied to a sand dredging project at the Kirinda Fisheries Harbour, which was awarded to a Korean company. The Bribery Commission maintains that the deal caused a financial loss of more than Rs. 20 million to the state.
Authorities have since confirmed that Senaratne is missing, with investigators reporting that his phones remain switched off and his residence found empty. The Bribery Commission alleges that he is deliberately evading arrest. (Newswire)