Former Akmeemana Pradeshiya Sabha chairman sentenced to three years RI

Former Akmeemana Pradeshiya Sabha chairman Milinda Haputhanthri has been sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty in a bribery-related case, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) said.

The verdict was delivered on October 1 by Colombo High Court Judge Rasantha Godawela.

According to CIABOC, the case concerned expenditure incurred by Haputhanthri over a 23-month period between March 31, 2011 and February 28, 2013, when he served as chairman and vice chairman of the Akmeemana Pradeshiya Sabha.

He was charged under Section 23(a)(1) of the Bribery Act, based on the presumption that money spent in excess of his known income during the period had been obtained through bribery.

Following the trial before Colombo High Court No. 11, the court imposed three years of rigorous imprisonment, a fine of Rs. 5,000 and a penalty of Rs. 7.5 million.

The court further ordered three months of simple imprisonment if the fine is not paid, and 24 months of simple imprisonment if the Rs. 7.5 million penalty is not paid.

CIABOC said the prosecution was conducted by Deputy Director General Ruwini Wickramasinghe on behalf of the Commission. (Newswire)