The Colombo Chief Magistrate today issued a warrant for the arrest of the Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Energy, B. N. S. Batagoda for not appearing in court as a witness for the persecution in the bribery case filed against Former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena.

Chief Magistrate Lal Ranasinghe Bandara issued the warrant after he observed Batagoda was not present in court to testify on behalf of the prosecution in the case filed by the Bribery Commission.

The Commission filed charges against Gunawardena at the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court under Section 9 of the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Law No. 1 of 1975, for not declaring his assets and liabilities for the years 2006 and 2007 while serving as the Chairman of the Development Lotteries Board. (T.Farook Thajudeen)