Ex-MP Sarana Gunawardena released on strict bail in corruption case

Former Minister Sarana Gunawardena has been released on strict bail conditions by Colombo High Court Judge Damith Totawatte today.

The Judge released Mr. Gunawardena on Rs 30,000 cash bail with two sureties for Rs 500,000 on each of the surety.

Judge Totawatte stressed that one of the sureties should be a relation of the accused while the other surety could be a non-relation of the accused.

The Judge underscored the fact that the sureties should pledge that they would produce the suspect in court when the court orders the sureties to do so. Judge Totawatte further emphasized that the sureties should not have any criminal cases against them in any court of law.

The corruption case was filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) against the accused while being the Chairman of the Development Lotteries Board had deliberately caused monitory losses to the State as a result of his failure to follow the protocol and the necessary procedures adopted by the Development Lotteries Board when hiring vehicles to the Board.

The Court postponed the case to March 23, 2023. Counsel Sajeewa Anthony of the Bribery Commission appeared for the prosecution, while Counsel Danaraj Samarakoon on the instructions of Senior Counsel Anil Silva PC, appeared for the accused.

Judge Totawatta further ordered the Police to fingerprint the accused before releasing him on bail.(T. Farook Thajudeen)