Former Minister Rajitha Senaratne, who was wanted on an arrest warrant, finally made his appearance before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (29).

The court had earlier issued a notice on 20 August directing Senaratne to show up, following a request by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali even went as far as issuing a proclamation under Section 60(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Adding another twist, the Colombo High Court yesterday (28) decided to hear a revision petition filed by Senaratne, who is attempting to get the arrest warrant thrown out. Notices are now being sent to the Director General of the Bribery Commission and other officials named in his petition.

However, Senaratne still had to face the Magistrate’s Court today, as the High Court did not grant his counsel’s request for an interim suspension of the arrest warrant.

The Bribery Commission’s case against the former minister stems from a 2012 sand mining project at Kirinda Fishery Harbour, which was allegedly transferred to a Korean company outside legal procedures, causing the government a loss of over Rs. 26.2 million. The investigation was triggered by an anonymous complaint in 2013.