Arrest Warrant issued against Mahindananda

By Bhagya Silva

An arrest warrant has been issued against former Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage in connection with the ongoing investigation into the importation of Chinese fertilizer.

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court issued the warrant following a request by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), after Aluthgamage failed to appear before the Commission as summoned on May 14.

Earlier, on May 14, a motion seeking anticipatory bail on behalf of his counsel was filed with the Colombo Magistrate's Court, requesting that the matter be taken up on May 16. The Magistrate ordered that the motion be heard on May 19.

Under the provisions of the Bail Act, a suspect may be arrested before such a motion is heard. Acting on this basis, CIABOC sought and obtained the arrest warrant.