BREAKING: 16-Years In Prison for Ex-Chief Minister and Sister-in-Law

by Zulfick Farzan 02-04-2025 | 9:56 AM

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Colombo High Court today (2) sentenced S.M. Ranjith, the former Chief Minister of the North Central Province, and his sister-in-law, Shanthi Chandrasena, to 16 years of rigorous imprisonment.

The verdict comes after a prolonged trial initiated by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), which filed the case under six charges.

The charges, spanning the period between 2012 and 2014, included allegations that S.M. Ranjith Samarakoon, while serving as the Chief Minister, facilitated undue benefits to Shanthi Chandrasena, who was his personal secretary at the time.

The accusations detailed the provision of over Rs 2.6 million through fuel orders, despite an existing fuel allowance included in the salary, and the coercion of government officials to facilitate these benefits.

After an extensive trial, the judge concluded that the prosecution had proven the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

Consequently, both defendants were found guilty of corruption under the Bribery Act and were sentenced accordingly.