Three high-profile cases taken up in Colombo courts

Three high-profile cases involving former politicians and their associates were taken up before courts in Colombo on Monday, with one suspect arrested over an alleged bribery case, another remanded in connection with alleged drug trafficking, and a passport case against a former minister’s wife postponed.

Former Minister and current Member of Parliament Chamara Sampath Dassanayake was produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court after being arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

Dassanayake was arrested after appearing before the Commission to provide a statement in connection with an investigation into allegations that he solicited a bribe of Rs. 8.1 million from three selected companies.

Investigators allege that the payment was sought in exchange for facilitating phosphate exports without following proper procedures and assisting the companies in obtaining the required export licences.

Meanwhile, former Colombo Municipal Councillor Mahinda Kahandagama, who represents the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, was remanded until 26 October after being produced before the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court.

Kahandagama and another suspect were arrested by the Central Crime Investigation Bureau on 5 October over allegations of involvement in drug trafficking.

Police said Kahandagama was arrested near a restaurant in Mirihana and that a quantity of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as “Ice”, was recovered from the suspects.

Police have alleged that preliminary investigations indicate Kahandagama had been involved in drug trafficking for some time. The second suspect is also alleged to have been linked to the activities.

In a separate case, the Colombo Magistrate’s Court ordered that proceedings against Shashi Weerawansa, wife of former Minister Wimal Weerawansa, be called again on 26 October.

Weerawansa had previously been sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty of possessing an unauthorised diplomatic passport.

The court was informed on Monday that the Colombo High Court had upheld the sentence and that an appeal had been filed with the Supreme Court.

The case was taken up before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama, with Weerawansa, who is currently on bail, appearing in court.

The court ordered that the case be called again on 26 October to place before it the relevant proceedings in the Supreme Court appeal.