The Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday postponed the hearing of the bribery case against former Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne and his Private Secretary B.Dayawansa for October 19.
MP Jayaratne was charged with creating a position called ‘Coordinating Secretary’ to the Aviation Ministry and appointing the former Minister’s Private Secretary B.Dayawansha as the Development Plan Coordinating Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority contrary to the Civil Aviation Act.
The Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption filed this case against former Minister Priyankara Jayaratne and his Private Secretary B. Dayawansha under Section 70 of the Bribery Act on five charges.
The Bribery Commission alleged that Priyankara Jayaratne had unlawfully appointed his Private Secretary as the Development Plan Coordinating Officer from 2011 to 2012, while he was serving as the Civil Aviation Minister.
When the case was taken up yesterday, MP Jayaratne and his Private Secretary, B. Dayawansa appeared before the court.