The Supreme Court re-affirming a sentence passed by a Special High Court Trial-at-Bar on two former officials convicted for bribery noted that obtaining bribes gives a bad precedence and erodes trust among the public.
Justice Buweneka Aluwihare presiding over the five-judge bench re-affirmed the sentence passed on Dr. I.H.K Mahanama former Chief of Staff of former President Maithripala Sirisena and Mr.P. Dissanayake former Chairman of the Timber Corporation.
Mahanama was sentenced to 20 years Rigorous Imprisonment, fine of Rs.65,000/- and a penalty of 20 Million while Dissanayake was sentenced to 12 years Rigorous Imprisonment ,and a fine of Rs.50,000/.
The bench comprised of justices Vijith Malalgoda, L.T.B.Dehideniya, Preethi Padman Surasena and S. Thurairaja,
This investigation was commenced upon a complaint lodged by an Indian citizen, K.P Nagaraja who is a businessman an investor who had come to SL over an investment of Kanthale Sugar Factory.
1st Accused Dr. I.H.K Mahanama was the Secretary to the Ministry of Lands from 2015 to 2018 and Chief of Staff to the President from July, 2018 to 3.05.2018.(The date of the Raid).
The 2nd Accused Mr.P.Dissanayake was the Chairman, State Timber Corporation up to the date of raid.
Initially, the 1st Accused had solicited a bribe of 3Mn US Dollars to secure the complainant the full possession of the land, structures and the machinery of Sugar Factory, Kanthale.
Thereafter the 1st Accused along with the 2nd Accused had solicited Rs.100 Million and Rs.20 Million was accepted as an advance out of Rs.100Million before the decoy on 3.05.2018.
They were arrested whilst accepting Rs 20Million marked currency notes as a gratification.
Both suspects were indicted before the Permanent Trail at Bar. The trial proceeds for approximately 3 months of time continuously, leading 22 witnesses marking 116 documents along with 62 productions.
At the end of the trial on 19th December 2019 both accused were convicted.
Justice Aluvihare that it was unacceptable for persons holding high positions in the state sector to take bribes and erode public confidence . (By Manopriya Gunasekara)
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