Former Defence Ministry Monitoring MP Duminda Silva, through his lawyer informed Court yesterday that his client was not pleading guilty over three corruption cases filed against him by the Bribery Commission.The Bribery Commission alleged that the former Parliamentarian had failed to declare his assets and liabilities in accordance with the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Law No.1 of 1975, for a period of three years from 2011 to 2013.
President’s Counsel Anil Silva appearing for the former MP informed Colombo Additional Magistrate Aruni Artigala that his client was willing to plead guilty if the court would impose only a fine.
The Bribery Commission officials told Court that according to Assets and Liabilities Law, the
Court has jurisdiction to impose a fine of Rs.1,000 with one year jail term for a person who found guilty to the charges. However, the Court did not positively response to the request and thereby Defence Counsel moved Court that the cases be fixed for trial. Three cases were fixed for trial on July 26.
In theses cases, the Bribery Commission had named the Deputy Secretary General of Parliament P.M.Neil Parakrama and several others as witnesses.
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