Former Justice Minister and President’s Counsel Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has said the Greek bond case against former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal and four others, recently withdrawn by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), cannot be refiled.

Rajapaksa, who spearheaded the drafting of the 2023 Anti-Corruption Act, is of the view that the manner of withdrawal has deprived CIABOC of any legal right to revive proceedings.

Contrary to media reports, no court condition required Cabraal to pay Rs 1.84 billion within three months to a Central Bank account, Dr. Rajapakshe said.

The case was withdrawn without trial under Section 67 of the Anti-Corruption Act, a provision introduced to allow limited withdrawal of long-pending cases where evidence is weak or difficult to establish. Section 67 requires the accused to agree in court to multiple conditions, including issuing a public apology, compensating losses, admitting wrongdoing, promising not to repeat the offense, and renouncing future eligibility for elected or appointed office.

Rajapakshe said that none of those conditions were met in the Cabraal case. Court records showed the accused had not consented to any terms and explicitly refused to pay the aforesaid amount. As a result, the withdrawal does not legally fall under Section 67, he has said, adding that since the case was withdrawn before trial, the court had no option other than acquittal.

“Without a Section 67 agreement formally recorded in court, CIABOC has no legal authority to refile the case,” Dr. Rajapaksa told the media, addressing widespread confusion about the outcome of the case.

More than 300 container trucks, loaded with cargo, had been parked within the Colombo Port premises for several days, the Container Transport Vehicle Owners’ Association said yesterday.

The congestion has been caused by the influx of relief supplies, following the recent disaster situation, along with increased imports for the festive season, the Association’s Chairman, Sanath Manjula, said.

Although clearance of container cargo is currently underway, a considerable number of trucks were stuck inside the port, he said, warning that the situation could worsen in the coming days if a proper and systematic clearance mechanism was not implemented.

Manjula alleged that despite repeated appeals to the relevant authorities, no effective, or even temporary, solutions had been introduced to ease the congestion.

Stressing that large quantities of essential food items were being imported daily, the transporters urged the government to take immediate action to prevent potential disruptions to supplies and avert a possible food shortage.

By Sujeewa Thathsara

Blood samples from former Speaker and NPP MP Asoka Ranwala, involved in a road accident at Sapugaskanda last Thursday, had been sent to the Government Analyst’s Department (GAD) to determine whether he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident, police said yesterday.

The accident occurred on the night of December 11 at the Denimulla junction when MP Ranwala’s jeep collided with a car carrying a 25-year-old woman, her six-month-old infant, and her 55-year-old mother. All three sustained injuries and were hospitalised. The child was admitted to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital. The MP and others received treatment at the National Hospital in Colombo.

Sapugaskanda Police have taken into custody both vehicles, along with a motorcycle knocked down by Ranwela’s vehicle, prior to colliding with the car, as part of the ongoing investigation. MP Ranwala was arrested while receiving treatment and released on bail on 12 December by order of the Mahara Magistrate’s Court. He faces charges of failing to prevent an accident and reckless driving.

Police Media Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler told the media that investigations had revealed a mechanical defect in MP Ranwala’s jeep, including a brake malfunction. A report from the Department of Motor Traffic confirmed that the fault had not been properly addressed, and legal action will follow in relation to this finding.

by Norman Palihawadane