A bribery commission case against MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake over the early withdrawal of Uva Provincial Council fixed deposits has been adjourned to 9 February, with the MP absent because he is already in remand custody in a separate matter.
Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama made the order on Tuesday, Hiru News reported.
The allegation
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) alleges that while Dassanayake served as Chief Minister of the Uva Province, fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council were withdrawn from bank accounts before maturity, causing the Government a loss of more than Rs 17.3 million.
Tuesday’s hearing
The accused did not attend. The lawyer appearing for him told the court that his client had already been remanded in another case.
The magistrate directed prison officers to produce the suspect from custody on the next date if he remains in remand at that point.
CIABOC told the court its investigations into the matter are complete and asked for a future date.
Context
9 February 2027 is a Monday. The adjournment is a long one — a little over three months — for a case in which the investigating commission says its work is finished.
The Chief Magistrate who made the order, Asanga Bodaragama, is the same magistrate hearing the Krrish deal bail application involving MP Namal Rajapaksa, which was also before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Not reported
Hiru does not identify the other case in which Dassanayake is remanded, or say when he was taken into custody. It does not state how many fixed deposits were involved, which banks held them, what the funds were used for after withdrawal, or whether anyone else has been named as a suspect.
There is no response from the MP or his party in the filing, and no indication of whether charges have been framed or the case remains at the investigation-report stage. No other verified newsroom had filed on Tuesday’s hearing at the time of writing.