The Colombo High Court Judge Indika Kalingavansha on Thursday (07) ordered the petitioner’s side to take steps to properly serve the respondents with the revision application filed by ex- Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, which challenges an order issued by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court rejecting a request by the Bribery Commission to set a suitable bail before taking him into custody in connection with the Kirinda fisheries harbour sand mining project.

The respondents named in the revision application are the Bribery Commission’s Director General and the officials conducting the investigation on behalf of the Commission. Although the High Court had notified the Commission to submit their observations, regarding the revision application, no such submissions had been received. Upon inquiry, it was revealed that the necessary documents required to issue the notice had not been provided by the petitioner’s side, and therefore no notice was issued, the Bribery Commission’s Assistant Director Sulochana Hettiarachchi stated.

Attorney-at-law Maithri Gunaratne, appearing on behalf of Rajitha Senaratne, informed the court that his legal team has taken steps to issue the necessary notice to the respondents and that any delays or mistakes will be rectified. However, he also expressed gratitude to the Bribery Commission officials for appearing before the court despite the absence of a proper notice.

Since the respondents were present in court without any defect in service, Judge Indika Kalingavansha ruled that permission to present submissions on the revision petition cannot be granted to the petitioner’s counsel at this stage and fixed the next hearing date for 01 September to take up the revision petition.

 By A.J.A. Abeynayake ✍️