The Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday (19) rejected a petition filed by former Minister Rajitha Senaratne seeking to suspend the arrest warrant issued against him in connection with a Bribery Commission investigation.
Senaratne’s lawyers filed the motion on Monday (18), but Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayatunga ruled that such a request could only be considered in the presence of the Bribery Commission, which is the complainant in the case.
Earlier this month, the court issued a warrant for Senaratne’s arrest after investigators alleged he had ignored multiple summons and failed to give a statement over a controversial sand dredging contract at the Kirinda Fisheries Harbour. The project, awarded to a Korean company during his tenure, is said to have caused losses exceeding Rs. 20 million to the state.
Investigators have since reported that Senaratne’s residence is empty and his phones are switched off, alleging that he is evading arrest.
By A.J.A. Abeynayake