Colombo Magistrate's Court Grants Bail to MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake

The loss, estimated at over Rs. 1.73 billion, allegedly occurred when Dassanayake withdrew six fixed deposit accounts of the Provincial Council before their maturity.

The incident dates back to 2016, when Mp Dassanayake, while serving as the Chief Minister of the Uva Provincial Council, reportedly withdrew the funds after a bank rejected his request for sponsorship to provide bags to preschool children in the province. The Bribery Commission presented its arguments in court, while Dassanayake's defense lawyers also made their case.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali, after hearing both sides, decided to release the suspect on a cash bail of Rs. 50,000, along with five sureties of Rs. 2 million each. In addition, the court issued an order prohibiting Dassanayake from leaving the country while the case proceeds.

The case will continue to be heard in due course, with further legal proceedings expected.