Former Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and former Chairman of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL), Anusha Palpita, has been granted bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.
Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama issued the order after considering the facts from Bribery Commission officials and the suspect’s lawyers.
The Magistrate ordered the suspect’s release on two personal bails of Rs. 5 million each and also imposed an overseas travel ban, said Ada Derana reporter.
When the case was taken up today, Bribery Commission officials informed the court that a report had been requested regarding investments the suspect reportedly made in the stock market. The officials requested the court for another date to present facts concerning those reports.
At that time, Attorney-at-Law Kanchana Ratwatte, appearing for the suspect, submitted to the court that his client had been in remand custody for nearly a month. The lawyer requested the court to release him on bail as he is prepared to provide all necessary support for the investigations.
After considering the facts presented by both parties, the Magistrate stated that no reasonable grounds had been presented to the court to further remand the suspect.
Accordingly, the Magistrate ordered the suspect’s release on bail and directed the case to be called again on May 29.
He was taken into custody and subsequently produced before the court on January 23 in connection with an investigation conducted based on information received by the Bribery Commission regarding the failure to disclose the source of assets amounting to Rs. 46 million, the Commission stated.
According to the Bribery Commission, Anusha Palpita arrived at the Commission on January 23 and was taken into custody after recording his initial statement.
The arrest was made on the charge of accumulating significant assets and property exceeding his income during a specific period, following an investigation into assets gathered beyond his legal earnings within that timeframe.
