Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama yesterday granted bail to three suspects who had been arrested and remanded by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over the alleged solicitation and acceptance of a Rs. 120 million bribe from the wife of alleged organized crime figure 'Harak Kata'.
The suspects are Attorney-at-Law Rakhita Nirmala Rajapaksa, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Horana Organizer Charitha Wasantha Kumara Abeysekera, and former Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. Director Varushahennadige Aruna Sri Chathuranga.
The prosecution alleges that the bribe was sought in exchange for providing 'Harak Kata' with certain facilities.
The Magistrate ordered the release of each suspect on a cash bail of Rs. 100,000 and two surety bails of Rs. 5 million each. The court also imposed an overseas travel ban on all three suspects pending further proceedings.
