Suspect ready to apologize in bribery threat case; Court awaits Commission’s decision

By Bhagya Silva

The daughter of Dr. Maheshi Wijerathna, who is accused of issuing death threats to officials of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, has expressed willingness to offer an apology to the officers involved, her counsel told the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday.  

Appearing before Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayathunga, defence counsel Upul Kumarapperuma informed the court that the 21-year-old suspect, currently out on bail, is due to leave for the United Kingdom on August 13 to pursue higher education. He urged the court to consider her academic future and allow her to travel abroad, emphasizing that a delay in resolving the matter could jeopardize her studies.  

The defence also indicated its readiness to resolve the issue amicably and requested that the Bribery Commission consider a settlement under appropriate conditions.  

In response, Bribery Commission officers told the court that a final decision on whether to file charges or settle the matter would be made upon the instructions of the Director General of the Commission and would be communicated to court on a future date.  Appearing on behalf of the suspect, her counsel noted that the case is scheduled to be called again on August 27. They requested the Commission to present its position before August 13, stating that if the inquiry is prolonged beyond that date, the suspect will not be able to leave the country for her studies in the UK.  

Having considered all submissions, the Chief Magistrate ordered the Commission to notify court on August 7 whether it intends to file charges against the suspect or proceed with a settlement under the conditions proposed by the defence.