The Colombo High Court yesterday turned down a request made by former Transport Minister Kumara Welgama that he be released from a corruption case filed by the Bribery Commission.
Kumara Welgama had filed a revision petition in the Colombo High Court challenging the Magistrate’s Court decision to accept an amended charge sheet over a corruption case.
Meanwhile, Colombo High Court Judge Vikum Kaluarachchi set aside an order issued by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court dated September 26, 2016 to accept an amended charge sheet over the corruption case. However, the High Court ordered the Chief Magistrate’s Court to act in accordance with Section 182 of the Penal Code in order to file a charge sheet if required.
Kumara Welgama is accused of causing the government unlawful loss by appointing an individual as a Deputy Chairman of Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), contrary to the Transport Act.
The Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption had filed a case in Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court against former Minister Welgama under Section 70 of the Bribery Act on four charges.
The Bribery Commission alleged that the former Minister had unlawfully appointed L.A. Wimalaratne as the Deputy Chairman of the SLTB on June 23, 2010, while he was serving as the Transport Minister.
The Bribery Commission further alleged that the Former Minister had paved the way for confer a payment of Rs.3.2 million to the Deputy Chairman as his salary and other benefits, causing unlawful loss to the Government.
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