Former Minister S.M. Chandrasena was today served with indictments before the Colombo High Court in connection with corruption charges filed by the Bribery Commission.

The indictments were presented before High Court Judge Ravindra Premaratne, who ordered Chandrasena’s release on cash bail of Rs. 50,000 and two surety bails of Rs. 1 million each. 

The case has been fixed for hearing on July 22.

According to the Bribery Commission, the charges relate to the period between January 1 and December 31, 2014, when Chandrasena allegedly influenced officials at the Anuradhapura District Secretariat, including the Director of Procurement, to distribute 36,000 kilograms of maize seeds imported at government expense among his political supporters. 

The seeds, meant to be sold to poor farmers at concessionary prices, were allegedly diverted to gain political advantage ahead of the Presidential Election. (Newswire)

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The Bribery Commission has revealed that former minister S.M. Chandrasena was arrested today 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. 

Issuing a statement, the Bribery Commission stated that the former minister is accused of having distributed maize seeds that had been imported in 2014 at a cost of Rs. 25 million to be provided at a concessional price to poor and needy farmers in the Anuradhapura District. 

Former Minister 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.

S.M. Chandrasena, who was arrested by the Bribery Commission after having recorded a statement in this regard, is expected to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today. (Newswire) 

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Former Minister S.M. Chandrasena has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. 

The former minister was arrested after having reported to the Bribery Commission to record a statement regarding an ongoing investigation today, but the reason for his arrest is unclear. 

In April this year, the former minister’s 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 convicted over 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 already being added to her salary.

Shanthini, former minister S.M. 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 councillors to release two additional vehicles, in addition to the Chief Minister’s two official cars and security vehicle. (Newswire)

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Former Minister and New Democratic Front representative for the Anuradhapura District, S.M. Chandrasena, has joined the Sarvajana Balaya party.

Sarvajana Balaya party leader MP Dilith Jayaweera officially handed over the party membership to Chandrasena.

Speaking to the media, Chandrasena stated that his decision to join the party was driven by its leftist-oriented policies and his confidence in Jayaweera’s leadership abilities. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian S.M. Chandrasena has announced his support for President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming Presidential Election.

MP Chandrasena further said that the SLPP Anuradhapura District Committee has also decided to extend its support for the President. 

The Parliamentarian made the announcement at the SLPP Anuradhapura District Committee meeting held today.

The announcement comes at a time when the SLPP has decided to field its own candidate and President Ranil Wickremesinghe has decided to contest as an independent candidate. 

The Presidential Election is scheduled to be held on 21st September 2024, while Nominations will be accepted on 15th August. (Newswire) 

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