Ex-Dy. Minister Shantha Premarathne sentenced to 4 years RI

3 November 2017 07:07 am - 20 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former Deputy Minister Shantha Premarathne, who was found guilty of accepting a bribe of Rs.50, 000 from a woman after promising to get her a government job, was sentenced to four years rigorous imprisonment and told to pay a fine of Rs.10,000 by Colombo High Court Judge Piyasena Ranasinghe yesterday.

Assistant Director of the Bribery Commission Ms. Ruwani Wickramasinghe told court that the general public had been programmed to believe that while clerical level or junior employees were the ones who usually get caught in the net of corruption and are harshly penalised as a result, the bid fish or the ministers etc. are set free and often do not have to face the consequences when caught taking bribes among other crimes. Taking this into account she requested the judge to make an example of this accused who held a responsible post as a people's representative and hand out a severe penalty to him which would send a message to others of the same ilk that no one, big or small was above the law. She also stated that the accused had misled an innocent village woman by not delivering on his promise to get her a job after accepting the bribe.

The High Court Judge took the request made by the AD of the Bribery Commission into account when passing judgment on the accused. (Manopriya Gunasekera and Ranjan Katugampola)

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Comments - 20

Mark Friday, 03 November 2017 08:19 AM

Sounds like the real crime was not delivering on the promise the bribe paid for?That will teach him...and all others who are corrupt will learn not to do the same.

Perumal Friday, 03 November 2017 05:53 PM

No, the problem was with the amount. If he had taken 5 million he could have escaped unhurt.

Rubert Saturday, 04 November 2017 01:55 AM

Exactly, compared to what the real bribes are, this is only peanuts that traffic cops earn a day. This sounds a lot fishy because why would he take such a measle amount when he could easily take 100 times that by helping a tender to mend a road.

bushel_perera@yahoo.com Friday, 03 November 2017 08:44 AM

APPEAL WILL SERVE

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 03 November 2017 11:34 AM

He will appeal and the deal machinery will ensure that he escapes within a year of imprisonment.... mark my words.

John Friday, 03 November 2017 11:48 AM

Was he fired?

Ram Friday, 03 November 2017 01:27 PM

After filing an appeal he will be out on bail. On some technicality he will get acquitted

Bindu Friday, 03 November 2017 01:27 PM

I see a shortcoming in the judgement. Why not pass the order to pay the woman at least her 50,000.00 by the culprit? With that the judgement becomes balanced.

parakum Friday, 03 November 2017 03:48 PM

His CIVIC Rights to be widrawn as well, so that he can never hold a Public office.

Chris Friday, 03 November 2017 04:40 PM

How about his pension??

ali Friday, 03 November 2017 04:44 PM

Does Ms. Ruwani Wickramasinghe say, "take the bribe, but make sure to deliver"?

kumaran Friday, 03 November 2017 05:54 PM

This the FORMER deputy minister. He is a non-entity. The day the Bribery net fall on thse who amassed BILLIONS and the new lot who plunder this nation are locked-up, that will be the day we can truly say, bribery is ended.

ceylon Friday, 03 November 2017 06:30 PM

even ships photos published but no photo of this criminal . via DM Android App

Casanova Friday, 03 November 2017 06:35 PM

Disgraceful, we need to completely eradicate this type of politicians, really cannot figure out how could someone buy things for his wife and children from evil money like this?

Senewi Friday, 03 November 2017 07:31 PM

You will have to take action on bribery involved for buying politicians by political parties.

Lima Friday, 03 November 2017 07:55 PM

THEN WHAT HAPPEND TO THE ROBBERIES THAT MR FAMILY COMMMITTED AND THE OTHER MPS

Gamini Abeysinghe Saturday, 04 November 2017 12:36 AM

Staged act to counter escalating public displeasure on Government's lacklustre performance and growing public anger. More such stage acts are to be expected in the near future to hoodwink people. Sigh!

vms Saturday, 04 November 2017 12:39 AM

I bet 100 percent. this chap will released on bail in two weeks. This is normal in our country. appeal will be heard in 5 years time. this is normal procedure as well.

ed Saturday, 04 November 2017 02:34 AM

WE NEED to practice this rulings very often as the whole country is fested with such virus.ALL THIS SICKNESS STARTED DURING THE LAST REGIME ON BIG TIME SCALE.THERE'S MORE TO COME!!! WE NEED THE PUBLIC TO INFORM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT IMMEDIATELY.

Ajith Saturday, 04 November 2017 04:00 AM

For 50,000 bribe fine is 10,000 so pure profit is 40,000 not bad as business.

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Ex-Dy. Minister Shantha Premarathne sentenced to 4 years RI

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