Mahindananda files anticipatory bail application over controversial fertilizer deal

Former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has filed an anticipatory bail application, citing the likelihood of imminent arrest by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over the importation of a substandard stock of organic fertilizer from a private Chinese company. Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali has ordered that the application be taken up for consideration on the 19th.

 

In the petition, Mr. Aluthgamage stated that the Bribery Commission had summoned him today to record a statement regarding allegations that the government suffered a loss of approximately USD 6.9 million in connection with the fertilizer import, and that there is a real possibility he could be arrested under non-bailable offences.

 

The Director of CIABOC’s Special Investigations Unit has been named as the respondent in the bail application.

 

The petition further revealed that, in connection with the same incident, former Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture Mahesh Gammanpila was arrested by the Bribery Commission on April 28, 2015, and remanded until May 5. It was also brought to the court’s attention that, during the investigation, the respondent officer had allegedly informed the media that Mr. Aluthgamage and other former ministers would be arrested over the incident.