New Democratic Front (NDF) Parliamentarian Chamara Sampath Dassanayake has been further remanded until 21 April by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court in connection with a corruption case stemming from his time as Chief Minister of Uva Province.
Dassanayake, who was arrested on 27 March over three separate corruption-related charges, is accused of misappropriating Rs. 1 million from the Uva Provincial Council in 2016. The allegations were investigated by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).
According to CIABOC, Dassanayake solicited funds from three state banks, claiming the money would be used to provide bags for preschool children in the province. Two banks released Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million respectively, which were then deposited into the personal account of a foundation linked to the MP.
When the third bank declined to release funds, Dassanayake allegedly responded by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from the bank. The Bribery Commission stated that the government incurred a loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to these actions.
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail to Dassanayake in two of the cases but ordered him to remain in remand custody over the third charge, which involves the alleged misappropriation of Rs. 1 million. The Badulla Magistrate’s Court has now extended his remand until 21 April as investigations continue.
