About a dozen high profile cases dismissed so far

Sarana acquitted of bribery charges

Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddhika C. Ragala yesterday (30) released former UPFA Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena from all bribery cases filed against him. There were eight cases against him.

Assistant Director-General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) Asitha Anthony told the court that the written approval of the then three commissioners of the bribery commission had not been obtained when the cases were filed.

Attorney-at-Law Niroshan Siriwardena, who appeared on behalf of the former deputy minister, requested the court to acquit the accused.

Gunawardena was accused of causing losses to the government by obtaining vehicles on rent for the Development Lotteries Board (DLB) while serving as its chairman back in 2007.

Over a dozen cases involving UPFA/SLPP politicians have been dismissed since the last presidential election.