Court Delays Verdict in Cases Against Sarana Gunawardena

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Colombo High Court has set aside the delivery of its verdict in four corruption cases filed against former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena until June 9.

The ruling, which had originally been scheduled to be delivered today, was to be announced by Colombo High Court Judge Mohamed Mihail.

However, the court was informed that the judgment is not yet ready for issuance.

The cases were filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), alleging that Gunawardena caused a financial loss to the government during his tenure as Chairman of the National Lotteries Board in 2006. 

The charges relate to the procurement of vehicles for the institution under a rental basis, which investigators claim resulted in undue financial disadvantage to the state.