Former Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne submited an anticipatory bail application before the Colombo Chief Magistrate today (14), in connection with an alleged illegal sand mining project at the Kirinda fishing harbour that reportedly caused a loss of over Rs. 200 million to the state, Lankadeepa reported.

The incident involves the awarding of the sand excavation project to a Korean company. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has been seeking to arrest Senaratne for the past 18 days in connection with the case.

Last Friday, CIABOC filed a motion requesting the court to issue a warrant for his arrest. After considering the request, the Magistrate ruled that there were no legal obstacles to naming Rajitha Senaratne as a suspect and arresting him.

Accordingly, the Additional Magistrate also ordered that Senaratne be taken into custody and produced before court.

However, CIABOC informed the court that although the suspect had been summoned to provide a statement, he repeatedly failed to appear, citing illness with what they claim to be false medical excuses. CIABOC also noted that Senaratne’s mobile phone has been switched off for the past 15 days.