Piyankara Jayaratne Pleads Not Guilty in Vesak Card Printing Scandal

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Minister of Civil Aviation Piyankara Jayaratne was formally indicted before the Colombo High Court over allegations of causing financial loss to the state during his tenure.

The indictment was read out before High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne, in connection with a case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. 

The charges relate to the unauthorized printing of 3,000 Vesak greeting cards between May 10 and June 6, 2013, allegedly resulting in a loss of Rs. 128,520 to the government.

Responding to the charges, the former minister pleaded not guilty

The trial commenced with the examination of witnesses, beginning with Panduka Priyanka Jayawira, the former Deputy Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority.

The case has been scheduled to resume on October 14, when further evidence will be presented.

Jayaratne faces two counts of indictment under anti-corruption laws.