By Roy Denish.
Jagath Pushpakumara travel ban issued after court hears corruption allegations involving plantation companies and election spending.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: The Jagath Pushpakumara travel ban has been issued after the former Cabinet Minister faced court following his arrest by the Bribery Commission on corruption allegations.
Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodharagama ordered Pushpakumara’s release on two surety bonds valued at 5 million rupees each. The court registrar also received instructions to notify the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration about the order.
According to the Commission, officers arrested the suspect when he arrived at the agency to provide a statement over several corruption allegations. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption then produced him before the magistrate and informed court about the arrest.
Jagath Pushpakumara travel ban follows corruption claims
The Bribery Commission told court that the first charge relates to 2014, during the announcement of the Uva Provincial Council elections. Pushpakumara allegedly instructed two state entities, the Chilaw Plantation Company and the Kurunegala Plantation Company, to print 250,000 posters and leaflets informing the public about government development projects. As a result, the companies allegedly incurred an expense of 2.665 million rupees.
The Commission further told court that, during the 2015 presidential election period, officials purchased clothes meant for flood relief distribution without following proper procedures. The Chilaw Plantation Company spent 3.275 million rupees, while the Kurunegala Plantation Company spent 3.075 million rupees. However, investigations found that the items did not reach beneficiaries through direct distribution.
The Commission also stated that Pushpakumara allegedly instigated officials to provide clothes from both plantation companies to people who attended May Day rallies in 2013 and 2014.
After considering the facts placed before court, the magistrate granted bail to the suspect. However, the court also imposed the Jagath Pushpakumara travel ban, preventing him from leaving Sri Lanka while the case proceeds.
