Former Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage has been remanded until 26 May by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court (MC) in connection with the controversial payment made to a Chinese firm for a consignment of substandard organic fertiliser in 2021.

Aluthgamage appeared before the Colombo Chief MC yesterday (19), following an arrest warrant issued against him on 16 May. The warrant was issued by Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali upon a request made by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), pertaining to his alleged involvement in the procurement of substandard organic fertiliser during his tenure as the Minister of Agriculture in the previous administration.

It was reported that Aluthgamage’s legal counsel had submitted a motion requesting that the case be taken up yesterday. Prior to this, he had also filed a petition before the Colombo MC, seeking anticipatory bail, citing concerns over a potential arrest by the CIABOC. Following the submission of the anticipatory bail application, the Colombo Chief Magistrate issued notice to the CIABOC, directing it to present its position in Court yesterday.

After considering the facts presented, the Chief Magistrate ordered that Aluthgamage be remanded until 26 May.