The corruption trial against State Minister A.H.M. Fowzie on misusing a state vehicle will be taken for hearing before Colombo Chief Magistrate Lal Bandara on April 5 and 6.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption filed the charges against Fowzie on misusing a state vehicle of the Disaster Management Centre. He has incurred a loss of Rs 1.07 million to the state, it has been alleged.

Fowzie was not present in court today when the matter was taken up. His lawyers said that he has been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital after falling ill recently.

His lawyers also said that at the time there was a circular which allowed the minister to use the vehicles of the DMC even when they are transferred to another ministry. Therefore the charge sheets should be amended, the lawyers said.

However, the Chief Magistrate said that they should prove this during the trial.