The Colombo High Court today (20) fixed a pre-trial conference for September 7 in the bribery case filed against former Minister of Investment Promotion Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena and former BOI Director General Jayantha Edirisinghe.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has charged the duo with causing a loss of over Rs. 1.7 million to the State during Abeywardena’s tenure as Minister.
When the matter was taken up before High Court Judge Pradeep Abeyratne, counsel for CIABOC sought permission to amend the indictment, which was duly allowed.
The Commission thereafter handed over a CD containing documents related to the case to the defence.
President’s Counsel Sanjay Rajaratnam, appearing for the defendants, noted that printed copies would have been preferable, but agreed to accept the CD in order to avoid inconvenience to the prosecution, adding that he would seek copies of specific documents if necessary.
The Court directed CIABOC to provide copies should such requests arise.
Defence counsel also indicated that preliminary objections to the indictment would be raised. The Judge observed that such objections should be taken up at the commencement of the trial.
The case was then fixed for a pre-trial conference on September 7.
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