The Colombo High Court has ordered that a corruption-related case filed by the Bribery Commission against former Minister Rohitha Bogollagama be called on October 30, to set a trial date for proceedings to be held in his absence.

This order was issued by Colombo High Court Judge Mahesh Weeraman after considering submissions made by the Bribery Commission.

The Commission made the request to proceed with the case in absentia, citing information that the accused is currently overseas.

Accordingly, the order was issued by the court today.

The case was filed by the Bribery Commission against the former minister over allegations that he committed the offence of “corruption” under the Bribery Act.

He is accused of having influenced the chairman of the Board of Investment (BOI) in 2006 to improperly pay over Rs. 1.5 million for hotel and exhibition expenses to attend an investment promotion exhibition held in London, violating Treasury regulations. (Newswire)

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A Ceylon Tea Promotional Walk was held in London, United Kingdom recently (July 18), retracing the original tea trail from 1870 on foot, with a special focus on Ceylon Tea and its historical market in the UK.

According to the Sri Lankan High Commission in London, Sri Lankan High Commissioner Rohitha Bogollagama participated in the walking tour, led by the Managing Director of PMD Tea Ltd. Dananjaya Silva.

The route included notable landmarks such as Leadenhall Market as well as the historic building that once housed the East India Company; Mincing Lane, the site of the largest tea auction where almost all chests of Ceylon Tea would have been unloaded; and the River Thames. The tour also included a visit to St. Katherine’s Dock, once the largest tea dock and warehousing operation globally.

This event is the latest addition to the wide array of tea promotion activities that the High Commission has been engaging in, showcasing their continuous efforts to promote Ceylon Tea and strengthen cultural and economic ties between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom. (Newswire)

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United National Party (UNP) member Rohitha Bogollagama has been appointed as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK).

The former Foreign Minister’s new appointment is effective from August 01, 2023.

Rohitha Bogollagama served as the Cabinet Minister of Foreign Affairs from January 28, 2007.

He later lost his seat in Parliament after being defeated in the General Elections held in April 2010.

Rohitha Bogollagama also briefly served as the Governor of the Eastern Province from July 2017 to December 2018. (NewsWire)

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