The Colombo High Court today ordered former Minister Rajitha Senaratne to be remanded until he is presented before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.
The order was issued after Rajitha Senaratne appeared before the court, per the notice issued to him to appear in court today.
Rajitha Senaratne, who was wanted by the Bribery Commission for a probe, had failed to respond to their summons, with the court being informed that he was evading arrest.
In early August, the Colombo Magistrate’s Court issued a warrant for Senaratne’s arrest following submissions by the Bribery Commission.
Investigators alleged that the former minister had failed to respond to multiple summons and had avoided giving a statement over a controversial contract awarded during his tenure.
The case is tied to a sand dredging project at the Kirinda Fisheries Harbour, which was awarded to a Korean company. The Bribery Commission maintains that the deal caused a financial loss of more than Rs. 20 million to the state.
Reporting that Senaratne remains missing, his phones switched off, and his residence found empty, the Bribery Commission alleges that he is deliberately evading arrest. (Islandnews)
