The Supreme Court today issued an interim order suspending the indictment signed by the Director General of the Bribery Commission against Land Commissioner General Bandula Jayasinghe in 2023.
Bandula Jayasinghe, along with seven others, was indicted in December 2023 by the Director General of the Bribery Commission on corruption charges related to altering the registration of a car while at the Department of Motor Traffic.
The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, A.H.M.D. Nawaz, and Achala Wengappulli, issued formal notice and an interim order suspending the proceedings on the indictment. The court also directed the Bribery Commission to reconsider its position on the indictment during the interim period.
In his writ application, the petitioner argued that the Anti-Corruption Act did not provide for the continuation of the previous Director General’s office. The petitioner contended that the new act required the appointment of a new Director General, rendering the previous Director General’s indictment in December 2023 invalid.
The matter is scheduled for argument on August 8.
Counsel Hafeel Farisz, along with N.K. Ashokbaran, Shannon Thilekrathne, and Shermina Bangsajaya, represented the petitioner. Senior Deputy Solicitor General Shanil Kularatne appeared for the Attorney General, and Counsel Anusha Sandarapperuma represented the Bribery Commission.
Source – dailymirror.lk/