Former Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne was sentenced to seven years’ rigorous imprisonment by the Colombo High Court today (September 1) after being convicted of corruption charges involving the misuse of SriLankan Catering funds for a political event.
Colombo High Court Judge Mohamed Mihal imposed a total of 14 years’ rigorous imprisonment on two charges and ordered that the sentences run concurrently, meaning they will be completed in seven years.
Jayaratne was also fined Rs. 200,000. Failure to pay the fines will result in an additional one-year prison term.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption filed the case over an incident in 2014, when Jayaratne was serving as Civil Aviation Minister.
He was accused of pressuring the Chief Executive Officer of the state-owned SriLankan Catering to pay Rs. 330,000 to a private establishment named Gambada Caterers in Marawila.
The trial revealed that the payment covered a gathering held for supporters from the Anamaduwa electorate who had attended the May Day rally in Colombo and participated in political activities.
Following a lengthy trial, the court ruled that the prosecution had proved both charges beyond reasonable doubt and found Jayaratne guilty of corruption and abetment under the Bribery Act.
Counsel appearing for the Bribery Commission told the court that the offence of corruption under Section 70 of the Bribery Act carried a prison sentence of at least 10 years and a fine of up to Rs. 100,000.
President’s Counsel Shavindra Fernando, appearing for Jayaratne, requested a lenient sentence, citing his client’s age, deteriorating eyesight and his wife’s illness. He also told the court that Jayaratne’s children lived overseas.
Delivering the sentence, Judge Mihal observed that Jayaratne had failed to fulfil the responsibilities entrusted to him as a public representative and had used public funds to advance his private interests.
The judge stressed that the court would not hesitate to impose sentences capable of deterring other public representatives from committing similar offences.
