Former Minister Jagath Pushpakumara arrested

Colombo, July 08 (Daily Mirror) - Former Cabinet Minister Jagath Pushpakumara was arrested today by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over several alleged corruption offences.

He was taken into custody this morning after being summoned to record a statement.

The charges filed against Pushpakumara include allegations related to the misuse of state resources and violations of procurement procedures.

According to the commission, the first allegation relates to 2014, when the suspect allegedly instructed the printing of 250,000 posters ahead of the Provincial Council Elections to publicize government development projects. The orders were reportedly placed with the Welawana Trading Company and Kurunegala Trading Company, resulting in an alleged financial loss of Rs. 2.665 million to the two companies.

The second charge concerns the 2015 Presidential Election period, where the former minister is accused of obtaining 5,000 T-shirts and 5,000 sarees from the same companies without following proper procurement procedures, claiming they were intended for flood relief. The items were allegedly not distributed, causing losses of Rs. 3.275 million and Rs. 3.075 million respectively.

The third allegation relates to the May Day rallies held in 2013 and 2014, where Pushpakumara is accused of influencing officials to obtain and distribute T-shirts and sarees from the two companies for rally participants.

Following his arrest, the former minister is scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.