The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today ordered the former deputy minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratne and six other suspects to appear before the Colombo High Court when they received notices in connection with the charges of misappropriating public funds.
Former deputy minister and the other suspects are charged with misappropriation of Rs. 12 million belonging to Ceylon Fisheries Harbor Corporation (CFHC) allocated for the Negombo lagoon project during the last Presidential election.
When the case was called today before the Colombo Chief Magistrate Lal Ranasinghe Bandara, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) told court that indictments were filed against the suspects in the Colombo High Court.
The CID also requested the Court to advise the defendants to appear before the High Court.
Accordingly, the Magistrate advised the suspects to appear before the High Court when they receive notices for the hearing.
Considering request from the defense counsel of the former deputy minister, the Magistrate granted permission for him to travel abroad from 23rd to 25th of this month for medical treatment.
