Srilanka, Nov. 12 -- Former Minister of Tourism and Aviation Prasanna Ranatunga, who was arrested today by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, was released on bail by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.

The Magistrate ordered Ranatunga's release on a cash bail of Rs. 100,000 and two sureties of Rs. 5 million each, while also imposing a travel ban preventing him from leaving the country.

In delivering the order, the Magistrate noted that although the Bribery Commission had verbally claimed the suspect attempted to influence witnesses over the phone, no such statement had been recorded or included in the official report submitted to court. The case was fixed for hearing on January 16.

According ...