The Colombo High Court has ordered that its ruling on the preliminary objections raised by the defence in the corruption case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) against former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa and two other defendants will be delivered on October 8.

The case was taken up today (29) before Colombo High Court Judge Ravindra Premaratne, Ada Derana reporter said.

The three defendants, who are currently out on bail, appeared before the court. They are former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa, former Director of the Office for Reparations Sepalika Saman Kumari, and former Director General of the Mahaweli Authority Keerthi Bandara Kotagama.

During the proceedings, defence counsel Asthika Devendra, Chaminda Athukorala and President’s Counsel A Premaratne raised preliminary objections concerning the charges filed by the Bribery Commission.

Assistant Director General of CIABOC Subhashini Siriwardena subsequently made submissions on behalf of the Commission.

Following the submissions, the High Court fixed October 8 for the delivery of its ruling on the preliminary objections.

According to the charges filed by CIABOC, a building and other property allegedly constructed without authorisation on land belonging to the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority in Sevanagala were damaged during the unrest on May 9, 2022.

The prosecution alleges that although compensation for the property had been officially rejected, the defendants used their official influence to pressure certain government officials attached to the Office for Reparations and obtain compensation amounting to Rs. 8.85 million.

CIABOC has filed indictments against the defendants on allegations of committing the offence of corruption and aiding and abetting the commission of the offence in connection with the alleged payment.