High Court told:

SB invested Rs.3.4 m in share market and millions more on high living

BY WASANTHA Ramanayake

THE income and expenses incurred by former Minister S.B. Dissanayake had shown a sudden rise during the period 1995-2001 according to the testimony of an investigation officer attached to the Bribery Commission before Colombo High Court Judge Rohini Perera hearing the bribery case against the former Minister.

Investigation Officer IP E.K. Don Chandrapala attached to the Bribery Commission examined by Bribery Commission Deputy Director Mallika Liyanage yesterday submitted that he had conducted investigations with regard to the building of a house in Hanguranketha, purchase of a plot of land in Jambugasmulla, Nugegoda, a plot of land in Nawinna, Maharagama, claimed to have been gifted to the accused, and his bank accounts.

IP Chandrapala submitted that the income as well as the expenses had risen during the period. He(accused) had deposited Rs.1.5 million in 1997 with the Union Bank.

He also had fixed deposits amounting to Rs.1.5 million and another one million rupees. IP Chandrapala submitted that the accused had invested Rs. 3,412,280 in the share market during the period 1997-1998.

He further testified that the accused's living expenses during the period of 1995 to 2000 had covered a sum of Rs. 2,314,000.

The investigation officer also testified that the accused had spent Rs. 1,200,000 for the 1999 Election and Rs. 817,000 on foreign tours.

The Bribery Commission filed the case in the High Court in terms of Section 23(a) of the Bribery Act against former minister S. B. Dissanayake following his failure to account for the wealth and property acquired by him during 1995 to 2001.

Deputy Director General of the Bribery Commission Mallika Liyanage with Assistant Directors (Legal) Lasanthi Wijewardane and Asitha Anthony.

President's Counsel Ananda Wijesekera and D. Weerasooriya appeared for the accused.

The trial resumes today.