In a fiery public address, Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage made a bold declaration that has sent political shockwaves through the country: former Minister S.M. Chandrasena might soon be trading his seat of power for a prison cell, joining his wife and younger brother, who are already behind bars.
Hewage didn’t mince words. “The next to go in is the elder brother,” he declared, referring to Chandrasena, and pointing to two high-profile cases now being fast-tracked through the courts. The charges? One involves a controversial compensation scandal related to the Mavil Aru reservoir, while the other surrounds the alleged illegal construction of luxury hotels in the ecologically sensitive Wevu Thawulla area.
“These aren’t just minor technicalities,” Hewage said. “These are cases of national significance. And this time, no one is above the law.”
According to him, the investigations are nearing their final stages, and a verdict is expected soon. If the courts deliver guilty rulings, Chandrasena could become one of the most high-ranking political figures in recent history to be incarcerated alongside immediate family members.
“This is no longer a government of the few. This is a people’s government,” Hewage said, drawing cheers from the crowd. “Under this administration, justice isn’t selective. The law will be applied equally, whether you’re rich or powerful, connected or not.”
For decades, Sri Lanka has struggled with public perception of impunity among political elites. But the arrest and imprisonment of Chandrasena’s wife and younger brother marked a symbolic departure from the norm. Now, with the spotlight on the former minister himself, the country watches closely.
Will Chandrasena fall next? If Hewage’s words are anything to go by, the answer could come sooner than anyone expected.
