The Colombo High Court today (07) ordered that the further examination of evidence in the corruption case filed by the Bribery Commission against former Minister of Power Kumara Jayakody be taken up again on October 05. The case was heard before High Court Judge Rashantha Godawela.
According to media reports, during proceedings, former Chairman of the Lanka Fertilizer Company, Buddhika Ruwan Madihahewa, testified under the direction of Assistant Director General of the Bribery Commission, Asitha Anthony.
He revealed that in 2014 a procurement process was initiated to select a contractor for carpeting roads at the Hunupitiya warehouse complex of the company. At that time, Jayakody was serving as Procurement Manager.
The witness stated that D.S. Construction was selected to carry out the work, and Rs. 8,859,708 was paid to the company as an advance under a performance bond. He said he approved the payment after reviewing documents from the Procurement and Finance Divisions confirming that procedures had been properly followed.
However, Madihahewa admitted that the carpeting work was never carried out, and that raw materials including stones brought for the project remained within company premises. He added that only Rs. 2,214,921 was later recovered under the performance bond.
A legal officer from the National Audit Office also gave evidence during the hearing.
The Bribery Commission has alleged that Jayakody, while functioning as Procurement Manager in 2014, caused a loss of Rs. 8,859,708 to the government by conducting procurement activities in a manner that gave undue benefit to a private company in awarding the carpeting contract for the fertilizer company’s warehouse premises.
The High Court has now postponed further examination of evidence until October 05. (Newswire)