Chamara Sampath Dassanayake remand extended to October 23 as CIABOC investigates alleged bribery, phosphate licences and unexplained assets.
COLOMBO – Parliamentarian Chamara Sampath Dassanayake has been remanded until October 23 after the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption produced him before court over allegations involving phosphate export licences, bribery and the unlawful accumulation of assets.
Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama rejected a bail application filed on behalf of the MP after considering submissions from both the prosecution and defence.
Dassanayake had been summoned to appear before CIABOC last Friday to provide a statement in connection with the investigations, but did not attend that day. He instead informed the Commission by letter that he would appear on October 12.
After arriving at the Commission and giving a statement for nearly four hours, he was arrested and later produced before court.
The allegations against Dassanayake remain subject to investigation and court proceedings. He has not been convicted of the offences alleged.
CIABOC Alleges Irregularities in Phosphate Export Licences
CIABOC officers told court that while Dassanayake served as State Minister of Primary Industries, phosphate export licences had allegedly been granted to three companies selected through his influence, outside the proper procurement process and despite instructions from the Ministry Secretary.
Investigators alleged that bribes totalling Rs. 84 lakh had been accepted in connection with the granting of those licences.
According to submissions made before court, the alleged payments comprised:
- Rs. 22 lakh from D. M. Traders.
- Rs. 59 lakh from Disaru International.
- Rs. 3 lakh from Ichchan Company.
CIABOC told court that the money had been credited to the bank account of Sumathipala Liyanarachchi, identified as Dassanayake’s private secretary, who is currently in remand custody.
The Commission further submitted that statements and evidence compilation reports attributed to the first suspect indicated that the money had allegedly been used for Dassanayake’s political promotional activities.
These claims remain allegations before court and have not been judicially established.
Unlawful Assets Allegations Also Presented
CIABOC also placed material before court concerning a separate investigation into assets allegedly acquired unlawfully.
The inquiry followed a complaint made on March 21, 2026, by the President’s Additional Secretary responsible for Anti-Corruption Special Investigation.
Investigators alleged that Dassanayake accumulated assets through his wife, relatives and private secretary by accepting bribes from gem businessmen and receiving money on the representation that jobs would be provided.
Among the assets referred to before court was a hotel identified as “Ella Ravana Place” in the Ella area, registered in the name of the MP’s wife and said to be worth Rs. eight crore.
CIABOC also referred to two luxury houses in Badulla valued at Rs. three crore and a five-perch plot of land.
Court was further told that Rs. 23 million had been deposited into a government bank account in Badulla belonging to the private secretary between January 31, 2017, and January 1, 2025.
The prosecution’s position is that these matters form part of the wider investigation into alleged illicit assets and bribery.
Defence Disputes Direct Evidence Against MP
President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa, appearing for Dassanayake, sought bail and challenged the prosecution’s case.
Indatissa submitted that none of the evidence compilation reports relating to 15 witnesses produced in connection with an initial complaint made in 2023 directly stated that his client had requested, accepted or conspired to accept a bribe.
The defence also argued that the subject matter relating to the phosphate licences did not fall under a line ministry controlled by Dassanayake.
Counsel further submitted that decisions on which companies received phosphate export licences were made by a committee rather than by the Minister personally.
Those submissions form part of Dassanayake’s defence and will have to be assessed against the prosecution’s evidence as the proceedings continue.
Magistrate Rejects Bail Application
CIABOC informed court that its Director General had submitted a certificate under Section 179 of the Anti-Corruption Act.
The Commission argued that, in those circumstances, exceptional grounds were required before bail could be granted.
After considering the submissions of both parties at length, Chief Magistrate Bodaragama ruled that sufficient exceptional circumstances had not been presented to justify releasing Dassanayake on bail.
The Magistrate therefore rejected the application in connection with five cases involving the alleged granting of licences to phosphate companies and alleged bribes from gem businessmen.
Dassanayake was ordered to remain in remand custody until October 23.
The investigations and court proceedings remain ongoing, and the allegations against the MP will ultimately have to be tested through the judicial process. Pasted text
