Party Secretary Arrested in Bribery Scandal Involving Presidential Candidate
On August 14, 2024, several officials from the United Lanka Podujana Party (Eksath Lanka Podujana Pakshaya), including the party’s Secretary, Nihal Premakumara Deshapriya, were arrested by the Bribery Commission. The arrests were made after the officials were caught soliciting a Rs. 30 million bribe from the party’s presidential candidate, former PUCSL chairman Janaka Ratnayake.
The bribery scandal was revealed when Ratnayake filed a complaint with the Bribery Commission. He had submitted his security deposit for the presidential election earlier in the day. The accused officials were allegedly demanding the bribe in exchange for securing Ratnayake’s nomination as the party’s presidential candidate.
Nihal Premakumara Deshapriya had placed the security deposit for Ratnayake at the Election Commission on the same day. The arrest of the party officials has raised significant concerns about corruption within political circles as the election approaches.
