Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody was yesterday indicted before the Colombo High Court over alleged corruption.

The indictments were served before High Court Judge Rashantha Godawela, with the Minister appearing in court, pursuant to an earlier summons.

The accused was ordered to be release on two personal bail bonds of Rs. 1 million each. The Judge also directed that his fingerprints be obtained and a report submitted.

The case was fixed for pre-trial conference on May 6.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), which filed the charges, alleges that in 2016, while serving as Manager of the Procurement and Import Division of the Ceylon Fertiliser Company, Jayakody committed an act of corruption.

He is accused of causing a loss of Rs. 8,859,708 to the State by allegedly influencing a procurement process relating to carpeting work at the Hunupitiya warehouse complex in order to confer an undue benefit on a private company.

The Court of Appeal has ordered a fresh trial before the High Court into the murder of former TNA MP Nadaraja Raviraj.

Allowing an appeal filed by the Attorney General, the Court of Appeal bench, comprising Justice Sasi Mahendran and Justice Amal Ranaraja, directed that the case be retried.

On December 23, 2016, the Colombo High Court acquitted and released three Navy intelligence officers and two others accused in the case after a jury returned a not guilty verdict.

In its judgment, the Court of Appeal observed that the High Court verdict had been delivered at 12.50 a.m., describing the timing as highly unusual. It further held that the trial judge had failed to properly direct the jury in respect of the evidence of Prosecution Witness No. 1, an accomplice.

Justice Mahendran noted that an analysis of the accomplice’s testimony revealed sufficient material to establish a case against the accused.

Raviraj was shot dead near his residence at Manning Town, Narahenpita, in November 2006 while driving along Martha Road.Deputy Solicitor General Suharshi Herath appeared for the Attorney General.

The Mount Lavinia Criminal Investigation Bureau has launched an intensive probe into the death of a Chinese woman at an apartment  in Kohuwala.Police said the incident occurred on March 23 at an apartment, on the second floor of the Kent Residence complex, where the victim was found stabbed to death.

Investigators have identified the main suspect as a Chinese national, believed to be the victim’s former partner.

He has been identified as Wang Huiyin (born June 1, 2000), and reported to be holding passport numbers EE6791329 and ER3805969.

Police said the suspect has visible injuries to the fingers of his left hand, which had been treated with stitches.

Police yesterday released a photograph of the suspect and sought public assistance to trace him.

Anyone with information on the suspect’s whereabouts is requested to contact the OIC, Mount Lavinia Criminal Investigation Bureau on 071-8596408 or the OIC, Kohuwala Police Station on 071-8591669.