Former Cabinet Minister of Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development Jagath Pushpakumara, arrested by the Bribery Commission over corruption charges, was ordered to be released on two personal bails of Rs. 5 million each by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today (08).
An order banning the suspect from travelling abroad was also issued by the court, which directed the court registrar to inform the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration of the move.
The suspect was arrested when he arrived at the commission premises this morning (08) to provide a statement regarding several corruption allegations.
The commission informed the magistrate upon producing the suspect.
The first charge against the suspect involves directing the Chilaw Plantations Company and Kurunegala Plantations Company to print 250,000 posters and leaflets to inform the public about government development projects while the 2014 Uva Provincial Council election was declared, causing the two companies to spend an amount of Rs. 2,665,000/-, the Bribery Commission informed the court.
In addition, investigations revealed that action was taken to purchase 5,000 clothing kits containing sarongs and t-shirts along with 5,000 clothing kits containing skirts and blouses to be distributed as flood relief during the 2015 presidential election period without proper procedure, and although these purchases made from the Chilaw Plantations Company and Kurunegala Plantations Company cost the two companies Rs. 3,275,000/- and Rs. 3,075,000/- respectively, the clothing kits were not physically distributed, the Bribery Commission stated to the court.
Charges are also levelled against the suspect for inducing officials to provide 2,000 t-shirts and 1,500 sarees from the Chilaw Plantations Company, alongside 2,000 t-shirts and 1,500 sarees from the Kurunegala Plantations Company, to be given to participants of May Day rallies in the years 2013 and 2014, the Bribery Commission informed the court.
The court granted bail to the suspect and issued a travel ban after considering the submissions.
An order banning the suspect from travelling abroad was also issued by the court, which directed the court registrar to inform the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration of the move.
The suspect was arrested when he arrived at the commission premises this morning (08) to provide a statement regarding several corruption allegations.
The commission informed the magistrate upon producing the suspect.
The first charge against the suspect involves directing the Chilaw Plantations Company and Kurunegala Plantations Company to print 250,000 posters and leaflets to inform the public about government development projects while the 2014 Uva Provincial Council election was declared, causing the two companies to spend an amount of Rs. 2,665,000/-, the Bribery Commission informed the court.
In addition, investigations revealed that action was taken to purchase 5,000 clothing kits containing sarongs and t-shirts along with 5,000 clothing kits containing skirts and blouses to be distributed as flood relief during the 2015 presidential election period without proper procedure, and although these purchases made from the Chilaw Plantations Company and Kurunegala Plantations Company cost the two companies Rs. 3,275,000/- and Rs. 3,075,000/- respectively, the clothing kits were not physically distributed, the Bribery Commission stated to the court.
Charges are also levelled against the suspect for inducing officials to provide 2,000 t-shirts and 1,500 sarees from the Chilaw Plantations Company, alongside 2,000 t-shirts and 1,500 sarees from the Kurunegala Plantations Company, to be given to participants of May Day rallies in the years 2013 and 2014, the Bribery Commission informed the court.
The court granted bail to the suspect and issued a travel ban after considering the submissions.
