Bribery Commission acted on political influence: Defence alleges

By Bhagya Silva

Colombo, Oct. 8 (Daily Mirror) - Sepalika Saman Kumari, former Director General of the Office for Reparations and current Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms, was released on bail.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama granted bail to the suspect on two sureties of Rs. 1 million each.

The magistrate also ordered that the suspect should not enter the Office for Reparations.

Further, the magistrate directed the Secretary to the Ministry of Justice to ensure that the suspect is not assigned any duties related to the Office for Reparations.

She was arrested on allegations of having approved the payment of Rs. 8.5 million in compensation to Moneragala District MP Shasheendra Rajapaksa, during her tenure as Acting Director General of the Office for Reparations, for damages caused to a government property belonging to the Mahaweli Authority.

Representing the CIABOC, officials told court that during the period of civil unrest, compensation had been approved for damages caused to a property belonging to the Mahaweli Authority, located in Sewanagala. Although the Board of the Office for Reparations had previously rejected the request by former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa for compensation, the suspect, acting as the then Director General, had later initiated correspondence with the Mahaweli Authority to proceed with the payment, allegedly under the influence of the main suspect. The Bribery Commission alleged that this act amounted to aiding and abetting corruption by facilitating the misappropriation of Rs. 8.8 million due to the Mahaweli Authority.

The officials further argued that further statements had to be recorded and that there was a likelihood of witness interference if the suspect was released.

Appearing for the suspect, President’s Counsel Suhada Gamlath told court that his client was a senior and respected public servant who had served with distinction for many years. He argued that the Bribery Commission had distorted facts and that the arrest was politically motivated, influenced by former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa.

He further stated that his client had functioned as Acting Director General for only four months and that the compensation payment had been made based on the recommendations and approvals of the relevant committees, including a parliamentary committee. He emphasised that his client, a senior legal officer whose husband is an Assistant Secretary at the Department of Public Administration and whose daughter is a law student, had not been in the position at the time the payment was made and therefore should be granted bail on any reasonable condition.

Responding to the defence, CIABOC officials had told court that all investigations had been conducted independently and without political interference. They added that although the suspect had not gained any financial advantage, her actions had nonetheless benefitted the main suspect, in violation of her duty as a public officer who had sworn to act lawfully and ethically.

After considering all submissions, the Chief Magistrate ordered that the suspect be released on bail and fixed the case to be called again on October 14 for further reports.

The Chief Magistrate observed that there was no evidence indicating the suspect had gained any financial benefit from the incident and also took into consideration her long years of service as special factors when granting bail.