MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake Arrested over Alleged Rs. 8.1 Million Bribery Case

Chamara Sampath Dassanayake Arrested by Bribery Commission

Badulla District Parliamentarian Chamara Sampath Dassanayake was arrested by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on October 12, after appearing before the commission to provide a statement in connection with an ongoing investigation.

The investigation concerns allegations that, during his tenure as State Minister of Primary Industries, arrangements were made for three selected companies to export phosphate without following the prescribed procedures.

Investigators allege that a bribe of Rs. 8.1 million was obtained in exchange for facilitating the phosphate exports and assisting the companies in securing the necessary licences.

Following his arrest, Dassanayake was produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court and remanded until October 23. <Cite refs={["turn965059news3","turn965059search8"]}/>

Former Private Secretary Also Remanded

The investigation also involves Sumathipala Liyanarachchi, who previously served as Dassanayake’s private secretary while he was State Minister of Primary Industries.

Liyanarachchi was arrested earlier in September in connection with the alleged bribery transaction and has been remanded in custody.

The commission’s investigation focuses on alleged irregularities in the arrangements made for the selected companies to export phosphate and obtain the required licences.

The allegations remain subject to legal proceedings.