Vijitha Herath appears before High Court

by Lakmal Sooriyagoda
National People’s Power (NPP) Parliamentarian Vijitha Herath appeared yesterday before the Colombo High Court as a prosecution witness in a case filed against former Development Lottery Board (DLB) Chairman Dr. Chandrawansa Pathiraja. The case involves allegations that Pathiraja caused an unlawful loss to the DLB by awarding promotional activities for several lottery tickets to private companies, in violation of the accepted tender procedure.  When the case was called before Colombo High Court Judge R.S.S. Sapuvida, counsel for Vijitha Herath requested a postponement of his client’s testimony, citing Herath’s need to attend a swearing-in ceremony for his appointment as a cabinet minister.  
After considering the request, the High Court Judge directed Herath to appear in court on November 29.  
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption had filed this case against the former DLB chairman for allegedly committing offences under the Bribery Act.  
The Commission further alleged that the former Chairman had awarded promotional activities to the private companies in violation of the law.  
Attorney-at-law Asitha Anthony, the Assistant Director (Legal) of Bribery Commission appeared for the prosecution. President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa with Counsel Ajith Wickramasinghe appeared for the accused. Senior Counsel Namal Rajapaksha appeared for Vijitha Herath.