Case against Mohan Peiris laid down until SC decision

By T. Farook Thajudeen

Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratna yesterday laid down the case against former Attorney General Mohan Peiris, Court of Appeal Judge A. H. M. D. Nawaz, and another, until the Supreme Court pronounces its decision on the Writ Petition filed by Pieris before the Supreme Court challenging the Magistrate Court case.

Colombo Chef Magistrate Lanka Jayaratna further postponed the case until 15 May 2020, as the Supreme Court is due to pronounce its decision on 29 November.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) had charged former Attorney General Mohan Peiris, Court of Appeal Judge A.H.M.D. Nawaz and former Lanka Electricity Company (Private) Limited (LECO) Chairman M.M.C. Ferdinando for preparing an erroneous Attorney General’s report to avoid taking legal action against irregularities committed by the LECO Chairman while purchasing of lands for LECO during 1 December and 30 December 2010.

The accused were alleged to have gained wrongful or unlawful benefit from LECO funds, under the Bribery Act.

The Commission filed this action after an investigation conducted by the CID pertaining to certain financial irregularities occurred in LECO. The Commission has filed the case in the Magistrate Court of Colombo against former Attorney General's Department Deputy Solicitor General Abdul Hammed Mohamed Dhilip Nawaz, presently sitting as a Judge of the Court of Appeal, former Attorney General and de facto Chief Justice Peter Mohan Maithree Peiris, and former Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Energy M. M. Charles Ferdinando, for offences which fall under Section 70 of the Bribery Act.