The Colombo High Court on Monday (7) fixed October 5 for the continuation of evidence in the corruption case filed against former Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).
The case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Rashantha Godawela.
Giving evidence led by CIABOC Assistant Director General Asitha Anthony, former Lanka Fertilizer Company Chairman Buddhika Ruwan Madihahewa said a procurement process was initiated in 2014 to select a contractor to carpet roads at the company’s Hunupitiya warehouse complex.
He said Jayakody was serving as the company’s Procurement Manager at the time.
According to the witness, D.S. Construction was selected through the procurement process and was paid an advance of Rs. 8,859,708 against an advance payment guarantee.
Madihahewa said he approved the payment after reviewing documents submitted by the procurement and finance divisions indicating that the required procedures had been followed.
However, he acknowledged that the company had not carried out the carpeting work, although construction materials, including stones, had been brought and left at the company premises.
The witness said only Rs. 2,214,921 was subsequently recovered through the advance payment guarantee.
A legal officer from the National Audit Office also testified before the court postponed further evidence until October 5.
CIABOC has accused Jayakody of conducting the procurement process in a manner that benefited a private company while he was the Procurement Manager of Lanka Fertilizer Company in 2014, allegedly causing a loss of Rs. 8,859,708 to the State.
