Alleged use of SPC funds to pay Keheliya’s mobile phone bill: Case fixed for pre-trial

A corruption case filed against Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and former State Printing Corporation (SPC) Chairman was today fixed for pre-trial to be held on December 9 by Colombo High Court.

The Director General of Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption had filed this corruption case against two accused for allegedly causing an unlawful loss of Rs.230,984 to the government after paying former Minister’s  one month mobile phone bill using SPC funds, while functioning as the Mass Media Minister in 2012.

When the case called before Colombo High Court Judge Damith Thotawatte, the Bribery Commission informed court that the prosecution is expecting to bring several amendments to the indictments. President's Counsel Kalinga Indatissa appearing for the defence raised objections against the prosecution's move to amend the indictments at the moment the case has been fixed for pre-trial.

The Bribery Commission alleged that the Minister Rambukwella had induced the former CPC chairman to pay his mobile phone bill from March 15, 2012 to April 14, 2012 causing an unlawful loss to the government, while serving as the Mass Media Minister.

The Bribery Commission had named former (SPC) Jayampathi Bandara Heenkenda as an accused for aiding and abetting to commit the offence.