Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama, on the 10th, ordered the release of former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella’s Coordinating Secretary, Nishantha Bandara Basnayake, from the cases filed against him and permitted him to serve as a state witness. Sri Lanka Latest News
The Magistrate issued this order after considering a request made to the court to release Basnayake, who is the third suspect in the three cases filed against former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella for corruption-related offences.
When the case was taken up, the Bribery Commission produced Nishantha Bandara Basnayake, a suspect in the incident, before the court and submitted a further report, making a detailed presentation.
The cases involve former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, his son Ramitha Rambukwella, Amali Nayanika Rambukwella, Nipuni Krishnaka, and Nishantha Bandara Basnayake, who were remanded in custody in connection with allegations of causing a loss exceeding Rs. 8 million to the government.
The alleged offences took place between 2021 and 2023, during which time the accused are said to have appointed several of their close associates as private staff employees while serving in the Ministries of Mass Media, Health, and Environment. The prosecution claims that the salaries and overtime allowances paid to these individuals by the Ministry were used for personal expenses and political activities.
All the suspects, who were initially remanded in custody, have now been released on bail.
