Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanka S. Bodaragama today (20) granted permission to the Bribery Commission to record a statement from former MP and former Chairman of the Housing Development Authority, Duminda Silva, on March 23.
Silva is suspected of accepting a bribe to grant bail to Dematagoda Ruwan, a large‑scale drug trafficker arrested for earning illicit money.
Although Colombo Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva had earlier, on March 13, allowed the Bribery Commission to obtain a statement, officials were unable to proceed as Silva insisted he could not provide one without the advice of his lawyer.
The Colombo Chief Magistrate has now ordered that the statement be taken inside the prison at 10 a.m. on March 23, while affirming Silva’s right to give it in the presence of his lawyer.
The court also directed the Bribery Commission to submit a consolidated evidence report regarding the suspect.
The order was issued during the hearing of a complaint against Mohammed Mohideen Sapras Nawas, who is remanded on suspicion of accepting a Rs. 500,000 bribe to secure bail for ‘Dematagoda Ruwan’.
After producing Sapras before the court, the Bribery Commission submitted a further investigation report.
Considering the facts, the Additional Magistrate permitted the Commission to record Duminda Silva’s statement and ordered that Sapras remain in remand custody until March 31. (Newswire)