Bribery case against Mahanama, Dissanayake Submissions fixed for March 13

• Solicited Rs.540mn bribe; accepted Rs.20mn from Indian investor

By T. Farook Thajudeen 

Trial-at-bar President Champa Janaki Rajaratna yesterday fixed to make written submissions on or before March 13 to consider bail for former President’s Chief of Staff Kusumdasa Mahanama and former State Timber Corporation (STC) Chairman P. Dissanayake who were accused and jailed on the charges of bribery. 

The order was made consequent to hearing the appeal filed by the counsel who sought bail for the accused. The suspects were accused of soliciting a bribe of Rs.540 million and accepting Rs.20 million from an Indian investor to acquire a section of the Kantale sugar factory.   

 
The Bribery Commission (BC) Director-General had filed indictments against the two accused on 24 counts for allegedly committing offences punishable under Section 19 (b), (c), 25(2) and 25(3) of the Bribery Act. The BC had named 46 individuals as witnesses and listed 41 production items. 

The Bribery Commission has named 46 individuals as witnesses and listed 41 production items