Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali yesterday (19) rejected the anticipatory bail application filed by former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and ordered that he be remanded until May 26.
The remand order comes in connection with the importation of allegedly substandard organic fertiliser from a Chinese company in 2021.
Aluthgamage appeared before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday in response to an arrest warrant issued on May 16.
The warrant was issued at the request of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), which alleges that the former Minister, during his tenure as Agriculture Minister, played a role in facilitating the entry of a fertiliser shipment despite serious concerns over its quality.
Aluthgamage had previously filed an anticipatory bail application, requesting protection against detention by CIABOC. Following this, the Court instructed the Bribery Commission to present its stance on the matter in Court on May 19.
After reviewing the arguments and evidence presented by both sides, Magistrate Lakmali rejected the anticipatory bail request and ordered to remand Aluthgamage until May 26.
On April 28, the CIABOC arrested a former Additional Secretary to the State Ministry of Agriculture in connection with the same fertiliser import scandal.
Investigations revealed that he authorised the reopening of suspended Letters of Credit, facilitating a payment of US$ 6.9 million, equivalent to 75% of the first shipment’s value, for substandard fertiliser, resulting in a significant financial loss to the Government.
The suspect was produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, remanded until May 5, and subsequently granted bail on the same day.
