The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s court today granted bail to former minister S.M. Chandrasena, who was previously arrested and remanded over corruption charges. 

The court released him on a cash bail of Rs. 50,000 and two sureties of Rs. 05 million each. 

The court, which imposed an overseas travel ban on the suspect, also ordered that his passport be surrendered to the court.

The court then ordered that the case be called up on the 9th of January, 2026.

On 04 July, former minister S.M. Chandrasena was arrested after having recorded a statement with the Bribery Commission.

He was arrested in connection with causing a loss to the government by distributing maize seeds to his political associates to gain an advantage in the 2015 Presidential Election. 

At the time of his arrest, the Bribery Commission said he was accused of having distributed maize seeds, imported in 2014 for Rs. 25 million, to be provided at a concessional price to poor and needy farmers in the Anuradhapura District. 

S.M. Chandrasena is accused of having intimidated officials at the Anuradhapura District Secretariat, including its Planning Director, to distribute the maize seeds to his political associates. (Newswire)

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Former Parliamentarian S.M. Chandrasena says he will not end his political activities due to his wife and brother being remanded over corruption charges recently.

Speaking to the reporters, Chandrasena said there may be shortcomings when engaging in politics and other activities.

Stating that he respects the Judiciary, which is an independent institution, he said appeals have been filed before the High Court and Court of Appeal against the court ruling, expressing confidence of receiving a fair ruling.

“During a meeting in Kandy, Minister Lal Kantha, who is my neighbour, questioned anyone who has not done any wrongdoing to raise their hands. But not a single person raised their hand. It is common for shortcomings when engaging in political or other activities. Several people in the political field have faced similar incidents. It is not something to be made fun of,” he said. 

His comments come after his brother, the former North-Central Province Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith, and his wife Shanthini Chandrasena, who served as the latter’s former secretary, were sentenced to 16 years of rigorous imprisonment for corruption charges. 

On 02 April, the Colombo High Court sentenced S.M. Ranjith and Shanthini Chandrasena each to 16 years of rigorous imprisonment for corruption charges brought by the Bribery Commission.

S.M. Ranjith, while serving as the North Central Province Chief Minister, is accused of making arrangements to allocate fuel for the official vehicle of his private secretary Shanthini Chandrasena, despite her fuel allowance being already added to her salary.

Shanthini, Chandrasena’s wife, served as the private secretary to Ranjith during his tenure as Chief Minister from 2012 to 2014.

The Bribery Commission filed a case against Shanthini Chandrasena for allegedly obtaining fuel worth Rs. 2,680,528 and Rs. 5,379,623 through vouchers during this period.

Both she and Ranjith have also been charged with influencing provincial councilors to release two additional vehicles, in addition to the Chief Minister’s two official cars and security vehicle. (Newswire)

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Former North-Central Province Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith and his former secretary Shanthini Chandrasena have filed petitions before the Court of Appeal against their sentence of 16 years of rigorous imprisonment for corruption charges. 

The appeal has been transferred to the Colombo High Court for presentation before the Court of Appeal.

In the appeal petition, the petitioners claim that the High Court judge had not taken up for consideration the facts they presented during the relevant trial when announcing his decision.

Accordingly, they have requested the Court of Appeal to acquit them of the relevant charges.

The Colombo High Court yesterday sentenced S.M. Ranjith and Shanthini Chandrasena each to 16 years of rigorous imprisonment for corruption charges brought by the Bribery Commission.

S.M. Ranjith, while serving as the North Central Province Chief Minister, is accused of making arrangements to allocate fuel for the official vehicle of his private secretary Shanthini Chandrasena, despite her fuel allowance being already added to her salary.

S.M. Ranjith is the brother of former Minister S.M. Chandrasena, while Shanthini is Chandrasena’s wife. She served as the private secretary to Ranjith during his tenure as Chief Minister from 2012 to 2014.

The Bribery Commission filed a case against Shanthini Chandrasena for allegedly obtaining fuel worth Rs. 2,680,528 and Rs. 5,379,623 through vouchers during this period.

Both she and Ranjith have also been charged with influencing provincial councilors to release two additional vehicles, in addition to the Chief Minister’s two official cars and security vehicle. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) sees the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act as a measure to protect the public, SLPP MP S.M. Chandrasena stated.

MP Chandrasena told the media that the lack of such an act allows certain groups to act in a dangerous manner which was seen during the anti-government protests last year.

He stated that this is also visible through the various protests being held by trade unions and other independent groups in the country at present.

The SLPP MP also called for the regulation of social media in Sri Lanka, stating that the current society is portraying tribal behaviour on social media.

“Our party cannot post any statement on social media. There are several comments stating ‘Rest in peace’ or ‘Myna’. Some even hinting at incidents reported during protests in April and May last year. This is tribal behaviour,” he said. 

Stating that such a society cannot move forward, S.M. Chandrasena said it was, therefore, essential to regulate social media. (NewsWire)

“When we post something on Social Media, they start commenting such as ‘Niwan Suwa’ (RIP) or ‘Maina’. Social Media must be regulated to prevent this type of tribal behavior” SLPP MP SM Chandrasena supports new anti terrorism bill pic.twitter.com/IMpag0KGUR

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) April 7, 2023

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