A Development Officer with the Divi Neguma Department has been sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment by Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige for soliciting a sexual bribe from the mother of a seven-year-old child suffering from kidney disease, in exchange for approving government financial aid for the child’s surgery.

The court ruled that the 20-year sentence is to be served concurrently over a period of 10 years.

The convict, Ruwan Pradeep Madushanka, was found guilty on four charges filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption and was also fined Rs. 20,000.

Furthermore, the court issued an order stripping the convict of his civic rights for a period of 10 years. The Registrar of the High Court was instructed to notify the Election Commissioner and other relevant authorities that the convict has lost his civic rights, including the right to vote.

The judge emphasised that the offender, as a public servant paid by taxpayers, had a duty to carry out his responsibilities ethically. Exploiting a vulnerable woman by soliciting a sexual bribe—particularly under such desperate circumstances—was an aggravating factor that the court could not take lightly.

The incident occurred when the accused took the complainant to a hotel in the Tissamaharama area, where he was subsequently arrested by the Bribery and Corruption Investigation Unit on May 21, 2016.

(dailymirror.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

Two suspects involved in the murder of Dan Priyasad were identified during an identification parade held at the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (May 09).
The identification parade was held following an order issued by Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela.

The lawyer representing the suspects stated that the investigation was heading in the wrong direction.

He pointed out that the actual suspects are still at large while the two suspects identified are not involved in the shooting that took place.

The two suspects have been remanded until May 23.

The second phase of bidding has commenced for the sale of 27 luxury and decommissioned vehicles from the Presidential Secretariat.

 These vehicles, manufactured between 1991 and 2016, include a range of high-end and utility models: two BMW cars, two Ford Everest SUVs, one Hyundai Terracan SUV, two Land Rover SUVs, one Mitsubishi Montero, three Nissan petrol cars, two Nissan-type motor cars, one Porsche Cayenne, five SsangYong Rexton SUVs, one Land Cruiser Sahara SUV, six V08 vehicles and one Mitsubishi Rosa air-conditioned bus.

Tender documents are available from the Finance Division, located on the second floor of the Sema Building at the Presidential Secretariat, on working days between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. until 14th May. Interested parties may also inspect the vehicles at the Salusala premises, No. 93, Jawatta Road, up to the same date.

This auction follows the successful first phase of the programme, during which 14 luxury vehicles, six decommissioned vehicles and various spare parts were sold. That phase included the auction of 15 vehicles, including nine Defender Jeeps. The initiative reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to reducing public expenditure and ensuring fiscal discipline.

It is important to note that the vehicles on offer were not allocated to the permanent staff of the Presidential Secretariat. They were utilised by advisors and other individuals appointed under Article 41(1) of the Constitution during the tenure of the previous President.

The official notice regarding this auction is shown below :

(President’s Media Division)