Former Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage was remanded until May 26 after appearing before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today (May 19), in connection with the controversial importation of substandard organic fertilizer from a Chinese supplier during the previous administration.
Aluthgamage, who was the subject of an arrest warrant issued on May 16, appeared in court following a motion filed by his legal counsel requesting that the case be taken up today. The warrant had been issued by Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali, based on a request from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABIC).
Prior to his arrest, the former minister had filed an anticipatory bail application before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, fearing imminent arrest by the Bribery Commission over the alleged procurement of substandard fertilizer during his tenure as Minister of Agriculture in 2021.
Following the petition, the court issued notice to the Bribery Commission to present its position on the matter today. After hearing submissions, the Magistrate ordered that Aluthgamage be remanded until May 26, pending further proceedings.
The case stems from allegations that a large shipment of substandard organic fertilizer was imported under Aluthgamage’s ministerial watch, triggering significant public and institutional concern about the quality and safety of agricultural inputs.
