Ex- Motor Traffic Chief Remanded in Bribery Scandal

COLOMBO (News 1st); Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayatunga ordered that former Commissioner General of Motor Traffic, Nishantha Anuruddha Weerasinghe, and two others arrested by the Bribery Commission be remanded until July 8.

The suspects, who were taken into custody by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, were produced at the Chief Magistrate’s official chambers.

Following the hearing, the court issued the remand order.

Former Commissioner General of Motor Traffic Nishantha Anuruddha Weerasinghe, retired Assistant Director of IT Priyantha Bandara Eriyagama, and clerk Aththaragama Gedara Dhammika Niroshan were remanded until July 8 following a court order issued by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayatunga.

According to a report submitted to the court by Bribery Commission officials, the suspects are accused of approving the issuance of license plates for a jeep that had not been cleared by Sri Lanka Customs and was registered illegally with the Department of Motor Traffic. The alleged actions are said to constitute offenses under the Bribery Act.

Investigations have revealed that 177 vehicles were illegally imported and registered in violation of the law.

Bribery Commission officials requested that the suspects be remanded, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. 

Although defense counsel applied for bail, the Chief Magistrate rejected the request and ordered the suspects to be held in remand custody.