Former Deputy Minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratne who was arrested by the CID today on charges of misappropriating Rs.12 million at the Negombo Fisheries Harbor Corporations, was ordered to be remanded till January 9 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Lal Bandara.
The CID told court that there were six individuals found as suspects in the initial investigation conducted by the Special President's Commission and later produced four suspects before court on the instructions of the Attorney General.
The suspect was the fifth suspect arrested in connection with the allegations and one more to be apprehended.
The CID charged the suspect under section 386 (misappropriation), 112 (conspiracy) and 102 (abatement) of the penal code and the section 5 (1) of the Public Property Act.
Counsel Sampath Mendis who appeared on behalf of the suspect moved bail on exceptional circumstances considering the critical health condition of the suspect and his wife.
He also contended that the B report filed in court by the CID was erroneous and bad in law. The prosecution had not precisely stated what was the offence that the suspect had committed nor had annexed the summary statement in the report which is compulsory according to the section 115 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, said counsel.
However, considering the defence submission the Chief Magistrate Lal Bandara fixed January 9 to decide on releasing the suspect on bail under exceptional circumstances.
Earlier, four suspects former Chairman Upali Chaminda, accountant Lakmini Munidasa, Deputy General Manager Piyal Abeysekera and Deputy General Manager Chaminda Palpita were produced in court and released on bail under exceptional circumstances.
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