Dr. I.H.K Mahanama sentenced to 20 years Rigorous Imprisonment, fine of Rs.65,000/- and a penalty of 20 Million while Mr.P. Dissanayake sentenced to 12 years Rigorous Imprisonment ,and a fine of Rs.55,000/- was imposed.
This investigation was commenced upon a complaint lodged by an Indian citizen, Mr. K.P Nagaraja who is a businessman an investor who had come to SL over an investment of Kanthale Sugar Factory. 1st Accused Dr. I.H.K Mahanama was the Secretary to the Ministry of Lands from 2015 to 31.03.2018. He was the Chief of Staff to the President from July, 2018 to 3.05.2018.(The date of the Raid).The 2nd Accused Mr.P.Dissanayake was the Chairman, State Timber Corporation up to the date of raid. Initially, the 1st Accused had solicited a bribe of 3Mn US Dollars to secure the complainant the full possession of the land, structures and the machinery of Sugar Factory, Kanthale. Thereafter the 1st Accused along with the 2nd Accused had solicited Rs.100 Million and Rs.20 Million was accepted as an advance out of Rs.100Million before the decoy on 3.05.2018. They were arrested whilst accepting 20Million marked currency notes as a gratification. Both suspects were indicted before the Permanent Trail at Bar No 1. The trial proceeds for approximately 3 months of time continuously, leading 22 witnesses marking 116 documents along with 62 productions. At the end of the trial on 19th December 2019 both accused were convicted. The prosecution was conducted by Senior State Counsel Mr. Janaka Bandara, Assistant Director General Mrs.Subashini Siriwardena, State Counsel Mr. Udara Karunathilake, Assistant Director Legal Anusha Sammandapperuma, and Assistant Director Legal Mr. Gayan Maduwage. The Investigation team was headed by CI Pushpakumara with the instructions of SP Mr.Ruwan Kumara and the team consist of IP Thennakoon, WIP Weerasingha,SI Karunarathna,SI Weerathunga, SI Ajith, SI Perera, WPC Hemamali, PC Ekanayake,PC Amarasingha.
