The Colombo High Court has fixed 13 November for further evidence in the case against former minister Priyankara Jayaratne, who is accused of causing a loss of Rs 128,520 to the state by printing Vesak cards.
High Court Judge Rashantha Godawela made the order on Monday after the prosecution’s twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth witnesses gave evidence, Hiru News reported.
The judge also directed the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) to submit to court all records of evidence given in the case to date.
A 13-year-old file over 3,000 cards
CIABOC filed the case under two charges, alleging that Jayaratne caused a loss of Rs 128,520 to the government by printing 3,000 Vesak cards between 10 May and 6 June 2013, while serving as Minister of Civil Aviation.
The sum works out at roughly Rs 43 per card. The amount is modest by the standards of the corruption files now before Sri Lankan courts, but the case illustrates how long such prosecutions run: the conduct alleged dates to 2013, and the court is still working through prosecution witnesses more than thirteen years later.
Jayaratne held the civil aviation portfolio under the then government. The case is one of a number of CIABOC prosecutions against former ministers moving through the Colombo High Court.
The next hearing is listed for 13 November.