21 September 2022 06:31 am Views - 341
By Lakmal Sooriyagoda
The Bribery Commission yesterday alleged that Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Gampaha District Parliamentarian Milan Jayathilake has exerted undue influence on a key witness in the bribery case.
The Bribery Commission revealed this information at the pre-trial stage in connection with the bribery case filed against two accused, including SLPP Parliamentarian Milan Jayathilake.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations against Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) had filed an indictment against Parliamentarian Milan Jayathilake and Ajith Sisira Kumara for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs. 600,000 from a businessman as a gratification to issue a permit for a quarry while they were serving as the Chairman of Dompe Pradeshiya Sabha and a member of PS respectively in 2012.
The Bribery Commission informed court that in an unprecedented move, the complainant party made a request with an affidavit urging to withdraw the case.
The Bribery Commission further said it compelled to conduct an inquiry regarding this affidavit since it has taken a different stance after the lapse of ten years.
However, the Bribery Commission maintained that the affidavit submitted by the complainant party would not be an obstacle to the maintainability of the case since it had been filed due to the influence of the defence.
High Court Judge Nawaratne Marasinghe observed that the accused who interfered with the witnesses could be remanded following the cancellation of bail. The case was fixed for trial on November 23. The main witness of the case was noticed to appear in court on the next hearing date.