Chamara Sampath Gets Bail, But Will Remain In Remand

COLOMBO (News 1st); Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali has ordered the release on bail of Member of Parliament Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, who was facing charges of corruption.

The decision was made today (8) during a hearing at the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court.

Despite this, Dassanayake will remain in remand custody until April 21, as per an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate's Court.

He has been in remand since March 27, following allegations that he caused a loss of Rs. 17.3 million to the government by withdrawing funds from six fixed deposit accounts belonging to the Uva Provincial Council before their maturity.

During today's hearing, investigators from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption presented a report stating that the preliminary investigations have been completed.

Magistrate Lakmali ordered Dassanayake's release on bail, setting the bail amount at Rs. 50,000 in cash and five sureties of Rs. 2 million each.

In a related case, the Badulla Magistrate's Court had previously ordered Dassanayake to remain in remand custody until April 21.

This order pertains to allegations that, during his tenure as Chief Minister of the Uva Province, he collected Rs. 1 million for preschools using the Provincial Council's letterhead and deposited the funds into his personal account.