Two Ex-Officials of ‘Maga neguma’ accused of misappropriation granted bail on health grounds

By Bhagya Silva   

Two former officials of the Maga neguma Development Department, who were arrested for allegedly facilitating the misappropriation of public funds allocated for development projects during 2012-2015, were ordered to be released on bail yesterday by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali considering the health condition of the suspects.   
The suspects, Deputy General Manager Abeysinghe Adikari and former Additional General Manager Anagipurage Michael, were released on three sureties of one million rupees each per suspect.   
The FCID informed court that investigations into the case had been initiated in 2017, and based on the Attorney General’s directives, the suspects were arrested under Section 386 (5) 1 of the Public Property Act.   
Appearing on behalf of the suspects, Counsel Ajith Pathirana informed the court that the first suspect was suffering from a medical condition affecting his respiratory system, while the second suspect, aged 72, was also facing health complications. 
Medical reports were submitted as evidence.   
Considering the facts presented, the Chief Magistrate took the health conditions of the suspects into account as exceptional circumstance and granted bail. The case was postponed to June 12 for further proceedings.