The Colombo High Court has ordered the Bribery Commission to take up again the case filed against former Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne and three other defendants over the alleged loss caused to the government through the leasing of the Modara Fisheries Harbour to a private company in 2014.
The case was taken up today (29) before Colombo High Court Judge Mohamed Mihal. During proceedings, the Judge inquired from the defence counsel whether they intended to raise objections to the amended indictments filed in the case.
In response, defence lawyers informed court that they would raise objections at an appropriate stage of the proceedings. Accordingly, the Judge ordered that the case be fixed for hearing on April 29.
The Bribery Commission has filed indictments against former Minister Rajitha Senaratne, former Fisheries Harbour Corporation Chairman Upali Liyanage, and another accused during the period of the previous Yahapalana government. The Commission alleges that the accused committed acts of corruption by inducing the Board of Directors of the Fisheries Harbour Corporation to lease the Modara Fisheries Harbour to a private company at a significantly reduced rate between August 1 and November 1, 2014.
