Parliamentarian Chamara Sampath Dassanayake has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) today (October 12) in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged bribery involving phosphate exports.
He was arrested after appearing before the Bribery Commission to provide a statement regarding the investigation.
According to reports, the investigation centres on allegations that a bribe of Rs. 8.1 million was obtained from three companies in return for facilitating phosphate exports exclusively through those companies, allegedly without following the proper procedures.
The investigation also concerns allegations that assistance was provided to the selected companies to obtain the licences required to export phosphate.
Meanwhile, Sumathipala Liyanarachchi, who served as Chamara Sampath Dassanayake’s private secretary during his tenure as State Minister of Primary Industries, has also been arrested in connection with the investigation.
Liyanarachchi is currently being held in remand custody.
The investigation is ongoing, and the allegations against those involved remain subject to the legal process.
