Corruption case hearing against ex-Minister Jayaratne for printing 3000 Vesak cards postponed to November 13

The Colombo High Court has rescheduled a corruption trial related to former Minister Piyankara Jayaratne to take place on November 13. Jayaratne is presently incarcerated for a different corruption conviction. The case was initiated by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) against the ex-minister, and it involves allegations that he unlawfully ordered the printing of 3,000 Vesak greeting cards, leading to a financial loss of Rs.

128,520 for the Government. The printing of these cards occurred between May 10 and June 6, 2013, while Jayaratne was serving as Minister of Civil Aviation. Jayaratne appeared in court, presented by prison officials, after the corruption case was brought before High Court Judge Rashantha Godawela. Evidence was collected from an investigating officer, who was questioned by a representative of the Bribery Commission and subsequently subjected to cross-examination by President’s Counsel Shavindra Fernando, representing the accused.

The court subsequently adjourned the further hearing of evidence until November 13. The Bribery Commission has filed the charges, accusing Jayaratne of corruption due to the alleged misuse of public funds.