Colombo HC orders to release Senadhipathi & Fernando from bribery case

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Colombo High Court on Tuesday (26) ordered to release Major General (Retired) Palitha Fernando and Avant-Garde Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi from the case filed against them by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

The Bribery Commission had filed indictments against Avant-Garde Maritime Services Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi and Major General (Retired) Palitha Fernando for allegedly offering and accepting a bribe of Rs.35.5 million regarding the Avant-Garde floating armoury transaction.

Deputy Director of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption Thushari Jayaratne informed the court that the three commissioners had decided to withdraw the indictment and not to proceed with the case filed against the two defendants.

She told the court that the indictments will be withdrawn on the basis that it was filed against the two defendants without a directive from the Commissioners of the Bribery Commission.

However, she further told the court that the indictment will be withdrawn on the condition that a new indictment will be filed against the defendants.