Witness examination in sugar factory bribery case fixed for tomorrow

The examination of witness statements in a bribery case filed against two individuals including former President's chief-of-staff Kusumdasa Mahanama will take place at the Special High Court tomorrow (Sept 9).

During today's hearing, the Bribery Commission had filed a revised charge sheet against the suspects.

Accordingly, lawyers representing the accused told court that they required time to study the charges against their clients following which the case had been postponed until tomorrow.

Mr. Mahanama and former State Timber Corporation Chairman P. Dissanayake have been accused of soliciting a Rs 20 million bribe to facilitate the smooth transfer of the defunct Kantale Sugar factory to an Indian businessman.

The businessman had claimed that the Board of Investment (BOI) had awarded the tender to restructure the company, and that these officials had been obstructing the process in a bid to solicit a bribe.

K. Nagaraja, the Indian businessman too had appeared before court today. Accordingly, court ordered the businessman to produce his mobile phones which contain telephone records before court tomorrow.

The Bribery Commission had filed charges under 24 counts against the suspects.

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