Bribery case suspect refused bail
 

BY SARATH Malalasekera

COLOMBO Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Sarojini Kusala Weerawardena refused bail to a suspect in a bribery case and remanded him till April 28.

Remanding the suspect Tikiri Banda Divakara, an overseer attached to the Prisons Department, Judge Weerawardena observed that the Bribery Commission should treat all suspects equally without any difference to the rich and the poor.

The Judge also observed that the prosecuting officer had not filed the certificate from the Director General of the Bribery Commission as required by the Law.

Judge Weerawardena severely warning the prosecuting officer said that the prosecuting officers of the Commission should prepare the case carefully before they come to court.

President's Counsel Rienzie Arasacularatne who appeared with Wasantha Batagoda for the suspect moving for bail submitted to court that the Commission had failed to produce the certificate of the Director General and to consider the bad health condition of the suspect's wife.

The suspect was arrested when he was accepting a gratification of Rs. 10,000 from Arthur Albert Wijekoon of Thalgodapita as an inducement or reward to assist Samantha Sujeewa Seneviratne who is a remand prisoner at the Kegalle Remand Prison.

Refusing bail to the suspect Judge Weerawardena directed the Officers of the Bribery Commission to conduct the investigations according to the Bribery Act and submit a comprehensive report on the next date.