The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, on 18/7/2023, filed indictments in the Colombo High Court against former Ports Authority Chairman Priyath Bandu Wickramamuni, Forklift Operator R. B. Sanjaya Kumara and Managing Director R. C. W. M. Nihal Keppetipola. The indictment was served under section 70 of the Bribery Act.
They were indicted for the offence of employing three hundred and nineteen (319) Ports Authority employees for President Mahinda Rajapakse’s election campaign work at the Presidential Election 2015 and paying salaries and overtime for them using Ports Authority funds.
The First accused, Priyath Bandu Wickramamuni, filed a Writ Application with the Supreme Court requesting to issue a writ order dismissing the said indictment and an interim order halting the High Court case until the court concludes the considering of facts.
The Supreme Court took the said writ, SC/WRIT 20/23, for hearing on 19th July 2024, and the Bribery Commission, the respondent of the writ application, raised two preliminary objections against the writ. The Supreme Court, having considered the preliminary objections of the Commission, dismissed the writ application filed by the Petitioner, Priyath Bandu Wickramamuni, in limine on 19th July 2024.
The Supreme Court Judge bench comprising their lordship P. Padman Soorasena, Achala Wengappuli and Mahinda Samayawardena delivered the decision.
Mr. Kalinga Indratissa PC appeared for the Petitioner, and Assistant Director (Legal) Mrs. Anusha Sammandapperuma and Legal Assistant Sharanya Jeyaraja appeared for the Commission.
