Colombo, April 8 -- Former State Minister Sathasivam Viyalendran was granted bail today by Colombo Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali, with five sureties of Rs. 1 million each and a cash bail of Rs. 50,000.

This case involves a bribe of Rs. 1.5 million, which was allegedly solicited from a businessman in the Polonnaruwa area in exchange for the issuance of a permit for sand mining.

Last year, the Bribery Commission arrested and remanded two individuals, including Viyalendran's personal secretary, in connection with the incident. They were later released on bail by the court.

Following an inquiry, the Bribery Commission also arrested the former state minister for his alleged role in supporting and facilitating the bribery request. He was subseq...