By Ranjith Padmasiri

The Colombo High Court has issued notice to Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody ordering him to appear in court on March 27, when indictments in his corruption trial are to be served on him.

The notice on Mr Jayakody has been issued on the order of High Court Judge Rashantha Godawela.

Mr Jayakody is indicted for committing the offence of corruption by causing a loss of more than Rs 8.8 million to the state through his alleged actions of allowing a contracted private company to make undue financial profits.

The alleged offence had been committed at the time Mr Jayakody was serving as the Procurement Manager of the Lanka Fertiliser Company Limited.

He has been accused of releasing the funds as an advance to the contracted company in violation of procurement regulations, which stipulate that a company contracted to undertake a development project on the Fertiliser Company premises must first provide a bank guarantee. The more than Rs 8.8 million released as the advance accounted for 20% of the overall contract, the indictment adds.

Courtesy:Sunday Times