Welimada district court registrar remanded

By Bhagya Silva   

Registrar of the Welimada District Court, who is alleged to have accepted a bribe of Rs. 500,000 to hand over possession in a land case in accordance with a District Court judgement, was ordered to be remanded till January 27 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Liyan Warusawithana yesterday.   

The suspect had joined the judiciary as an office assistant and after receiving due promotions, was later appointed as a Registrar. Presenting facts to court, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption informed that although the suspect is an educated individual, he was arrested and produced before court on allegations of soliciting and accepting a bribe.  

The Bribery Commission further stated that the bribe had been demanded and obtained to hand over possession in a land case that had been heard for nearly 30 years at the Welimada District Court. It was also revealed that, as instructed by the suspect, the complainant had handed over the bribe money packed in a plastic container at a commercial establishment in the Welimada town.  

Appearing on behalf of the suspect, Counsel submitted that his client completely denies the allegation of soliciting and accepting a bribe. He further informed court that the suspect had passed the scholarship examination, pursued his education through self-effort and risen from the position of office assistant to that of Registrar. 

Counsel requested that the suspect be released on bail under any condition, noting that he is a father of three.  After considering the submissions made by both parties, the Additional Magistrate held that there were no exceptional circumstances to grant bail and accordingly rejected the bail application.   

The Magistrate ordered that the suspect be remanded till the 27th and directed the Bribery Commission to submit a progress report on the investigation on that date.