Former Minister Jagath Pushpakumara granted bail in corruption case
COLOMBO – Former Minister Jagath Pushpakumara was granted bail on Wednesday (8) after being produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court following his arrest by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over alleged corruption-related offences.
Colombo Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered Pushpakumara’s release on two personal sureties of Rs 5 million each and imposed a travel ban.
The former minister was arrested by CIABOC officials after several hours of questioning when he appeared before the Commission earlier in the day to provide a statement regarding the allegations. He was subsequently produced before the Magistrate by investigators.
Presenting facts before court, CIABOC officials alleged that during the 2014 Uva Provincial Council election period, Pushpakumara, who was then Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries, instructed the Chilaw and Kurunegala Plantations Companies to print 250,000 posters and leaflets promoting government development projects, causing a financial loss of Rs 2.665 million to the two state-owned entities.
Investigators further alleged that during the 2015 presidential election period, the former minister arranged the procurement of 10,000 sets of clothing through the two plantation companies without following proper procedures. The purchases included 5,000 sets containing sarongs and T-shirts and another 5,000 sets comprising shirts and skirts, purportedly intended for flood relief distribution.
According to CIABOC, the Chilaw Plantations Company spent Rs 3.275 million while the Kurunegala Plantations Company spent Rs 3.075 million on the clothing purchases. However, investigations have found that the items were never distributed.
The commission also accused Pushpakumara of influencing company officials to procure 2,000 T-shirts and 1,500 sarees each from the two plantation companies for distribution among participants at May Day rallies held in 2013 and 2014.
After considering submissions from both parties, Magistrate Bodaragama ordered the former minister’s release on bail and directed the court registrar to notify the Department of Immigration and Emigration of the travel restriction imposed on him.
-ENCL
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