Rajitha Senaratne Faces 5 Corruption Charges Over Kirinda Fisheries Harbour Deal

COLOMBO (News 1st): Former Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne has been indicted before the Colombo High Court on charges of corruption.

The charges relate to allegations that Senaratne exerted pressure on the Chairman of the Fisheries Corporation to select a Korean company, Sea Woo Company Limited, for a project involving the removal and sale of sand from the Kirinda Fisheries Harbour, and to lease the vessel "Weligowwa", owned by the Fisheries Corporation, for that purpose.

The alleged offences are said to have taken place during the period between June 12, 2012 and August 6, 2012, while he was serving as the Fisheries Minister.

High Court Judge Mohamed Mihail referred the case for a pre-trial conference and granted the accused bail on two personal bonds of Rs. 1 million each.

The High Court Judge also ordered that the accused's passport be surrendered to Court and imposed a condition that the sureties be close relatives of the accused.

The indictment against Rajitha Senaratne contains five charges under the offence of corruption as provided for in Section 70 of the Bribery Act.

A total of 13 individuals have been named as witnesses in the case.

In addition, the prosecution has listed 25 documents as court productions in support of the case.