Travel Ban on Bribery Suspect Linked to Former Minister

COLOMBO (News 1st); Colombo Additional Magistrate, Harshana Kekunawela ordered to release on bail of Shan Yahampath, the personal secretary to former Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, Manusha Nanayakkara. 

Yahampath was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption on suspicion of committing the offence of “corruption.”

The suspect was released on two personal bail bonds of Rs. 2.5 million each.

Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela ordered a travel ban on Shan Yahampath, and also instructed that Yahampath’s passport be surrendered to the court.

The suspect was taken into custody by officials from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption and presented before the court.

Appearing on behalf of the Commission, Assistant Director of Legal Affairs Sulochana Hettiarachchi informed the court that the suspect is accused of accepting a bribe of Rs. 4.3 million from the owner of a private institution.

The payment was allegedly made in connection with the selection of that institution—without proper procurement procedures—to conduct external training programs for officials of the Foreign Employment Bureau.

The case has been scheduled for further hearing on September 16.