Former Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage has actually been remanded till May 26 by the Colombo Magistrates Court in connection with the questionable payment made to a Chinese company for a consignment of low quality natural fertiliser in 2021.
Aluthgamage appeared before the Colombo Chief Magistrates Court today (May 19), following an arrest warrant issued against him on May 16.
The warrant was issued by Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali upon a request made by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABIC), referring to his supposed participation in the procurement of substandard natural fertiliser during his period as Minister of Agriculture in the previous administration.It was reported that Aluthgamages legal counsel had submitted a motion asking for that the case be used up today.Prior to this, he had actually also filed a petition before the Colombo Magistrates Court seeking anticipatory bail, mentioning issues over a possible arrest by CIABIC.Following the submission of the anticipatory bail application, the Colombo Chief Magistrate provided notification to the Bribery Commission, directing it to provide its position in court today.After thinking about the facts provided, the Chief Magistrate bought that Aluthgamage be remanded till May 26.
More proceedings in the event are expected to continue in the coming days.