Politics · Sri Lanka Bureau
Former State Minister Remanded on Bribery Charges Linked to Phosphate Imports
Former State Minister and Badulla District MP Chamara Sampath has been remanded in custody until November 6 on allegations of soliciting and accepting bribes worth Rs. 8.4 million from phosphate importing companies. His former secretary has also been remanded on related charges.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered the remand of Sampath and his former secretary following an investigation by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). The investigation centres on allegations that the two accepted illicit payments from three companies involved in phosphate importation.
According to investigators, the total value of the alleged bribes amounts to Rs. 8.4 million. The remand order was issued after the CIABOC presented evidence before the magistrate establishing the basis for the allegations against both individuals.
Sampath's remand extends to November 6, during which period investigators will conduct further inquiries into the matter. The case marks a significant development in ongoing investigations into corruption allegations involving political figures in Sri Lanka.
The charges against Sampath represent a serious breach of trust allegedly committed while he held his position as State Minister and constituency representative for the Badulla District.