Case against former SLPA Chairman Priyath fixed for trial

A corruption case filed against former Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA) Chairman Priyath Bandu Wickrama and two others for allegedly causing a Rs.65 million unlawful loss to the government by employing 319 employees of the Ports Authority for

election work during the 2015 - January Presidential Election, was yesterday fixed for trial by the Colombo Chief Magistrate.

When the matter came up before the Chief Magistrate Lal Ranasinghe Bandara, the case was fixed for trial on July 13.

Meanwhile, the Chief Magistrate allowed the former SLPA Chairman to travel abroad next month.

The Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption filed this case against former Ports Authority Chairman Priyath Bandu Wickrama, R.B. Sanjaya Kumara and Nihal Keppetipola under Section 70 of the Bribery Act on three charges.

The Bribery Commission alleged that the first accused Priyath Bandu Wickrama had unlawfully employed 319 employees for election work on or around October 20, 2014 to January 7, 2015, while he was serving as the Ports Authority Chairman.

Attorney-at-law Asitha Anthony, the Assistant Director (Legal) of the Bribery Commission appeared for the prosecution. President’s Counsel Anil Silva and counsel Niroshan Siriwardena appeared for the accused.