CIABOC seeks CJs permission to indict Aluthgamage in special High Court

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC), this week, sought permission from Chief Justice Nalin Perera to file indictments in the three-member permanent High Court at Bar against former Sports Minister Mahindananada Aluthgamage and former CWE Chairman Nalin Fernando.

The case concerns financial irregularities and corruption charges including the distribution of carom and draughts boards during the run-up to the 2015 presidential election.

The two men have been charged with defaulting in transactions amounting to Rs. 53 million to purchase sports items for schools such as draughts and carom boards.

It is alleged that the sports goods, amounting to 11,000 draughts boards and 14,000 carom boards, had been placed on order for the CWE to distribute among loyal political supporters prior to the 2015 election. The action of the order placement had originally been done allegedly in a telephone conversation between the minster and the former CWE chairman.

The Bribery Commission has on earlier occasions served indictments on charges of abuse of authority and intending to incur losses to the State by not following the accepted tender procedures. According to a high official of the Bribery Commission this is the first time that this sort of a case which is usually referred to a Magistratea Court is being transferred to the High Court. This follows amendments to the criminal procedure code.