A tense situation arose in Parliament today (20) when Opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake attempted to raise an issue regarding his inability to participate in a China‑sponsored economic programme for MPs scheduled for May 5–6, due to a travel ban imposed on him by the court.

Dassanayake told the House that his passport was in court custody and that, despite presenting a motion with a letter from the Parliament Secretary General and an invitation from the Chinese Government, repeated objections by the Bribery Commission had prevented him from travelling.

Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne intervened, stressing that matters before the court cannot be discussed in Parliament. “The court has issued an order. We cannot discuss issues of the court in Parliament,” he said.

Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake also commented that the issue was not a privilege matter, and remains a court issue.

“However, we gave you a chance to speak on it. What you are saying now is against regulations. I request you not to fall victim to other people’s political agendas. You are an accused in the case, there is a court order related to your case, and it cannot be spoken in Parliament,” he added.

A heated exchange thereafter erupted between the MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne, Minister Bimal Rathnayake and other MPs in the Chamber. (Newswire)

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Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Samantha Vidyaratna appeared before the Cyber Crimes Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today in connection with online attacks against his child. 

It is reported that Minister Samantha Vidyaratna had filed a complaint regarding a recent statement made by MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake in Parliament, linked to his child.

Following MP Dassanayake’s statement, it is reported that social media posts had been circulated regarding Minister Samantha Vidyaratna’s child. 

As such, Minister Samantha Vidyaratna appeared before the Cyber Crimes Division of the CID to file a complaint in this regard. (Newswire)

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Minister of Foreign Employment Vijitha Herath has denied allegations of political vengeance with regard to the ongoing transfers at the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE).

Addressing Parliament today, Badulla District MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake said the SLBFE consisted of a large number of employees from the Badulla District, who are now being transferred. 

The MP said that the Foreign Employment portfolio was mostly held by ministers from Badulla.

“The employees are largely from Badulla. Through political appointments or other means, people from Badulla are serving at the SLBFE. But now, an employee from Hali-Ella has been moved to Jaffna, and vice versa,” he said.

MP Dassanayake requested the Minister of Foreign Affairs to arrange for reasonable transfers, where employees will be able to find suitable boardings and continue their service. 

Responding, Minister of Foreign Employment Vijitha Herath pointed out that the MP’s speech confirms political appointments to the SLFBE, adding that investigations are underway into the matter.

He further said that employees serving in the same post in the same area for a long period have been identified as an issue, due to which a transfer process has been implemented. 

“There is no political involvement here. We are issuing transfers to current employees. Staying in the same place for a long time creates issues related to the involvement of unnecessary transactions. Therefore, we will definitely carry out these transfers,” the minister said. 

Minister Herath assured that the transfers would be carried out in a fair manner, reiterating that it was not vengeance or any such action. (Newswire)

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The Bribery Commission informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today that investigations into Badulla District MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake regarding alleged financial misappropriation are still ongoing. 

The inquiry pertains to allegations that, during his tenure as State Minister in 2016, he withdrew fixed deposit accounts belonging to the Provincial Council, causing a financial loss exceeding Rs. 16 million to the government.

The case was taken up before Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali today, during which MP Dassanayake, who was previously released on bail in connection with this incident, also appeared in court for the hearing. 

Presenting evidence before the court, officials appearing on behalf of the Bribery Commission informed that the investigations into this incident have not been completed.

The officers requested the court to grant them a date to complete the investigation and report facts to the court.

Taking into consideration the facts presented, the magistrate ordered that the case be called again on 18 November 2025. (Newswire)

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Badulla District MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake warned today that members of the government, particularly Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, will eventually have to face legal action.

Addressing the Parliament today, MP Dassanayake accused the Justice Minister of making remarks that he said were disrespectful towards the judiciary.

“We, as the opposition, are making statements in Parliament based on what we see in the media about your statements. You have insulted the three-judge bench that had delivered a court verdict. We will make sure you wear the prison jumper. S.B. Dissanayake and Ranjan Ramanayake were made to wear jumpers for speaking against the judiciary. You will also face a similar situation due to your statements available in the media. We will ensure that you wear the jumper someday, and you will be the first to do so,” MP Dassanayake said. 

He further claimed that several members of the NPP-led government would eventually face prison time for the alleged misuse of state funds.

“The Agriculture Minister, who counted monkeys, will have to be sentenced to 40 years for misusing state funds. He used almost Rs. 01 million to count monkeys. This is also state money. He should be sentenced to 40 years in prison. At least, Mahindananda Aluthgamage distributed carrom boards and was sentenced to 20 years. What has this monkey minister done? He hasn’t even given a mango or a hopper to the monkey. There is no outcome of the activities. If this case is taken up, he will have to be sentenced to 40 years,” MP Dassanayake said. 

The Badulla District MP said that firstly, the former Speaker, who provided fake education qualifications, must be sent to prison, adding that his verification documents are yet to arrive from Japan.

MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake further said that the minister who will face the more serious charges will be Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, referring to recent protests held by the public against him over corruption allegations. (Newswire)

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The Bribery Commission today (May 16) told the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recent statement regarding a treasury circular was factually incorrect and had the potential to interfere with an ongoing bribery probe related to Badulla District MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake.

Addressing a special media briefing, Wickremesinghe had claimed that a 2015 circular issued during his tenure as Prime Minister permitted provincial councils to withdraw fixed deposit funds before maturity, a defence cited concerning former State Minister Chamara Sampath Dassanayake’s case. 

However, the Bribery Commission clarified that the circular was only issued on November 22, 2016, while Dassanayake had made the withdrawal on February 29, 2016.

Dassanayake, who was produced in court today, is accused of causing a loss of over Rs. 17.6 million to the government by prematurely withdrawing funds from a fixed deposit belonging to the Uva Provincial Council during his tenure as Chief Minister.

The Commission further revealed that Wickremesinghe made his media statement at the request of Dassanayake’s wife, and that the timing of the circular was not verified before making public remarks. 

Investigators alleged that his comments had adversely affected the integrity of the ongoing investigation and requested that Dassanayake’s bail be revoked.

The court will consider the request for bail cancellation later today. (Newswire)

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Badulla District MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake has been further remanded until 19 May 2025 by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court, concerning a case that had been filed by the Bribery Commission. 

MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake was arrested by the Bribery Commission, after recording a statement on 27 March, on 03 corruption charges linked to his previous tenure as a State Minister.

He has been remanded on two corruption charges, while he has been granted bail for one charge. 

The MP has been remanded over the charges of misappropriating Rs. 01 million from the Provincial Council fixed deposit with a state bank and over causing a loss of Rs. 23 million to the government by withdrawing fixed deposits held in a state bank. (Newswire)

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Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appeared before the Bribery Commission to provide a statement regarding his special statement on Badulla District MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake.

Last week, the former President informed the Bribery Commission through his Attorney that he would appear today, after having announced his unavailability for a previously allocated date. 

Ranil Wickremesinghe has been summoned before the Bribery Commission to record a statement regarding the special statement he made on Badulla District MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake following the latter’s arrest over financial misappropriation.

MP Chamara Samapath Dassanayake is currently under remand custody over corruption charges related to the alleged misappropriation of funds from the Provincial Council fixed deposit with a state bank.

The charges against which cases have been filed by the Bribery Commission relate to his previous tenure as a State Minister, under the Maithripala Sirisena-Ranil Wickremesinghe government. (Newswire)

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Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed the Bribery Commission that he will report to provide a statement on 28 April 2025.

Informing the Commission through his Attorney, the former President confirmed that he would report to the Bribery Commission at 02.00 pm on the said date. 

Ranil Wickremesinghe has been summoned before the Bribery Commission to record a statement regarding the special statement he had made on Badulla District MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake.

MP Chamara Samapath Dassanayake is currently under remand custody over corruption charges related to the alleged misappropriation of funds from the Provincial Council fixed deposit with a state bank.

The charges against which cases have been filed by the Bribery Commission relate to his previous tenure as a State Minister, under the Maithripala Sirisena-Ranil Wickremesinghe government. (Newswire)

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Badulla District MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake has been further remanded until 05 May 2025 by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.

Chamara Sampath Dassanayake was further remanded concerning a case that had been filed by the Bribery Commission. 

MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake was arrested by the Bribery Commission, after recording a statement on 27 March, on 03 corruption charges linked to his previous tenure as a State Minister.

He has been remanded on two corruption charges, while he has been granted bail for one charge. 

The MP has been remanded over the charges of misappropriating Rs. 01 million from the Provincial Council fixed deposit with a state bank and causing a loss of Rs. 23 million to the government by withdrawing fixed deposits held in a state bank. (Newswire)

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Badulla District MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, who was granted bail over a bribery case today, says he is the first to be arrested under the newly introduced Anti-Corruption Act.

Addressing Parliament today, MP Dassanayake said he was among those who voted in favour of the Act while in the ruling party of the previous government.

“I voted for the act when I was on that side. I am the first person to have cases filed under the new Act. Three cases have been separately filed against me. A complaint was filed in 2016. I recorded a statement in 2019, during which I was informed there was no case. But on 27 March 2025, while I was recording a statement, news alerts were sent out saying I had been arrested. I myself did not know I was arrested while giving a statement,” he said.

MP Dassanayake further said that despite being granted bail in two cases, attempts were made to remand him over one case, adding that while being remanded in Badulla, he was granted bail in Colombo.

“I advise the authorities to conduct the pending 4000 cases also in a similar manner to how my cases have been handled in the past few days,” he added. 

The Badulla District MP was granted bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today in connection with a bribery case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

However, he will continue to remain in remand custody until April 21 over a separate case filed by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Badulla. (Newswire)

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Badulla District MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake has been further remanded in connection with one of three corruption allegations. 

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today further remanded the MP until 08 April 2025.

The MP is accused of allegedly causing a loss of Rs. 23 million to the government by withdrawing fixed deposits held in a state bank. 

MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake was arrested by the Bribery Commission after recording a statement on 27 March. 

He was arrested on 03 corruption charges linked to his previous tenure as a State Minister.

After being produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, the MP was released from two charges and remanded on one corruption charge. (Newswire)

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Badulla District MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake has been remanded until 01 April 2025, in connection with one of three corruption allegations. 

The MP is accused of allegedly causing a loss of Rs. 23 million to the government by withdrawing fixed deposits held in a state bank. 

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail to MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake over 02 corruption charges. 

MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake was arrested by the Bribery Commission after recording a statement this morning. 

He was arrested over 03 corruption charges and was later produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. 

The corruption allegations are linked to his previous tenure as a State Minister. (Newswire)

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Badulla District MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, who was arrested over corruption charges earlier today, has been granted bail. 

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court granted bail to MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake after he was produced in court. 

MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake was arrested by the Bribery Commission after recording a statement this morning. 

It was reported that the MP was arrested over 03 corruption charges. (Newswire)

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Badulla District MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake has been arrested over corruption charges. 

He was arrested after recording a statement with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) today. 

It is reported that the MP, who was arrested over 03 corruption charges, will be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today. (Newswire)

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Badulla District MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake is being questioned by officials of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

The reason for the inquiry has not been officially disclosed at this time. Investigations are reportedly ongoing. (Newswire)

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Opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake today called on the Speaker to ensure discipline within the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), claiming that a derogatory remark had been made against him during a recent meeting.

Addressing the Parliament today, MP Dassanayake said a member of the COPE Committee had referred to him as ‘Badulle Bada’ during a meeting with officials of the National Gem & Jewellery Authority. 

Stating that from among the 09 MPs representing the Badulla District, he was the only MP with a pot belly, he said it was regrettable to see such statements being made at such an important committee. 

“There are no other guys with pot bellies in Badulla. From those representing Badulla District in Parliament, Minister Samantha Vidyarathna doesn’t have a belly. Among the 09 MPs from Badulla only I have a pot belly. So clearly it is a reference to me. And per the discussion at the meeting, I was the former Minister in charge of the Gem & Jewellery sector,” he said. 

MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake further said the COPE Committee is an essential Parliamentary Committee which holds meetings in the presence of the Auditor General, and such comments should not be made by a ruling party member. 

“The Leader of the House recently told Parliament to behave in a decent manner. The COPE Committee has no opposition members but consists of ruling party members,” he pointed out. 

As such, MP Dassanayake urged the Speaker to advise the ruling party members on how to behave during such important committee meetings, which are most often televised. (Newswire)

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Opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake clashed with Prime Minister Harini Amarasuirya in Parliament today over the use of state vehicles. 

Addressing the Parliament, MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake accused government MPs and Ministers of using state vehicles, despite the government having claimed that it would not allocate state vehicles.

The MP raised concerns in this regard in response to Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya’s statement in which she claimed the government has not issued state vehicles to MPs of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka. 

She further said that a vehicle has been only issued to MP Sugath Wasantha de Silva by the Presidential Secretariat, taking into consideration his special needs, adding that however, he has not been provided a driver or fuel allowance.

MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake then responded that an MP living in Madiwala was using a Range Rover which costs more than a V8 SUV,  disputing the government’s claims that state vehicles have not been issued to MPs. 

A heated exchange then ensued between Chamara Sampath Dassanayake and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, with the PM saying that the government would investigate the claims. (Newswire)

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The exports of gems and jewellery have generated an income of USD 315 million from January of this year to date, State Minister for Primary Industries Chamara Sampath Dasanayake announced. 

He further highlighted that the gems and jewellery sector has demonstrated an impressive export growth rate of 34%, a fact corroborated by reports from the Central Bank.

State Minister Dasanayake made these remarks at the media briefing held at the Presidential Media Center yesterday (Aug. 22).

The full statement of the State Minister for Primary Industries Chamara Sampath Dasanayake: 

The National Gem and Jewellery Authority stands as a pivotal contributor to our nation’s foreign exchange reserves. We have undertaken numerous strategic decisions concerning the operations of this authority. In the previous year, we achieved a significant income of USD 230 million through gem exports. Notably, in the year (2023), our gem and jewellery exports have yielded a substantial revenue of USD 315 million.

Historically, concerns arose regarding the remittance of foreign exchange earned through gem exports. To address these issues, a novel customs clearance system was devised under the aegis of the new government. Presently, each exported gem is meticulously assessed to ensure the inflow of foreign exchange. In the past, our gems were auctioned abroad, but our country did not receive the appropriate remuneration.

The Central Bank’s reports confirm a remarkable 34% growth in export revenue for the Gems and Jewellery Authority. Steps have also been taken to resolve exporters’ challenges, with open lines of communication for exporters accessible at all times.

Last year, the authority’s revenue from licensing and assessment fees amounted to a modest Rs. 144 million. However, this year alone, the authority has recorded a substantial profit of Rs. 288 million. Consequently, we have devised strategies to enhance the authority’s profits by a remarkable 200% by year-end.

In the past, foreign exchange reserves were scarce in our nation. The Ministry of Primary Industries has spearheaded initiatives to alleviate this issue. 

Furthermore, it is worth noting that our employees are not reliant on government salaries. The Gems and Jewellery Authority, independently, contributes between Rs. 50 and 100 million to the Ministry of Finance, underscoring our commitment to the nation’s economic well-being.

Furthermore, it’s worth noting that a mere six months have elapsed since I assumed leadership of the Phosphate Institute. Originally falling under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Industry after being transferred from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Phosphate Institute was subsequently placed under the umbrella of the Ministry of Primary Industries by the President’s decree. When I took the helm of this institution, it was saddled with a bank overdraft of Rs. 150 million, leading to a precarious situation where employee salaries couldn’t be met. Today, I am pleased to report that all these challenges have been successfully resolved.

The ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict has led to a surge in demand for our phosphates. Moreover, a protracted 23-year-old controversy surrounding the phosphate trade within the country has been finally laid to rest. This legal matter had previously impeded our ability to export phosphates. However, its resolution has swiftly yielded a profit of Rs. 143 million in just a span of two weeks.

Furthermore, the BCC company experienced a period of dormancy before reactivating its operations using refurbished machinery. Consequently, BCC has managed to operate in a manner that doesn’t burden the government’s finances. Impressively, the BCC company alone has contributed around Rs. 25 million to the national treasury when required.

Additionally, the nation boasts the potential to accrue between USD 400 and 500 million through the various institutions aligned with the Ministry of Primary Industries. It’s important to acknowledge that these endeavours encounter diverse hindrances and challenges along the way. Nonetheless, in order for our country to thrive without the weight of debt, a collective effort is imperative. (NewsWire)

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Minister of State for Primary Industries Chamara Sampath Dassanayake was seen inspecting a group of security guards at Lanka Phosphate Company Ltd during a visit to the site recently.

Lanka Phosphate Company Ltd is a state-owned enterprise which makes chemical fertilizer from a phosphate deposit in Sri Lanka’s Eppawala region.

Video footage of the State Minister thoroughly inspecting the security guards of the company has gone viral on social media platforms. (NewsWire)

????#lka pic.twitter.com/oD7WHvrTt8

— Rehan Jayawickreme (@RehanJayawick) July 19, 2023

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