May 19, Colombo (LNW): Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, MP representing the Badulla District under the New Democratic Front (NDF), has been granted bail by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court in connection with a case concerning the alleged misappropriation of public funds.
Magistrate Nujith de Silva ordered the release of the MP on two surety bails, each valued at one million rupees. The case in question, initiated by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), revolves around a transaction dating back to Dassanayake’s term as Chief Minister of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.
According to investigative records, Dassanayake allegedly solicited financial contributions from three state-owned banks, presenting the appeal under the guise of funding preschool bag distribution initiatives for children across the province. Two of these banks reportedly released sums of Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, respectively.
Instead of channelling these funds into the intended programme, investigators claim the money was diverted into a personal account tied to the MP’s private foundation.
Further tension emerged when the third bank refused to comply with his request. In response, Dassanayake is alleged to have ordered the withdrawal of provincial fixed deposits from the institution, in what has been interpreted as an act of retribution using public authority.
Dassanayake’s legal troubles are not limited to this instance. He was previously remanded in connection with other bribery-related charges, all tied to his actions during his tenure in provincial leadership.
He had earlier been granted bail twice by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court over separate but related corruption allegations. His most recent remand followed proceedings at the Badulla Magistrate’s Court, which now have taken a turn with this latest bail ruling.
The MP’s legal team argues that the charges are politically motivated and lack substantive evidence of personal gain. However, the Bribery Commission continues to pursue multiple lines of inquiry, alleging a pattern of systemic misuse of public funds and abuse of influence during Dassanayake’s time in office.
