A petition filed by former Transport Minister Kumara Welgama challenging the Magistrate’s Court decision to accept an amended charge sheet over a corruption case was yesterday fixed for argument by the Colombo High Court.
Colombo High Court Judge Vikum Kaluarachchi fixed the matter for argument on November 29. Defence Counsel sought a further date for argument. Kumara Welgama is accused of causing the government unlawful loss by appointing an individual as a Deputy Chairman of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), contrary to the Transport Act.
The Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption had filed a case in Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court against former Minister Welgama under Section 70 of the Bribery Act on four charges.
The Bribery Commission alleged that the former Minister had unlawfully appointed L. A. Wimalaratne as the Deputy Chairman of the SLTB on June 23, 2010, while he was serving as the Transport Minister.
The Bribery Commission further alleged that the Former Minister had paved the way for confer a payment of Rs.3.2 million to the Deputy Chairman as his salary and other benefits, causing unlawful loss to the Government.