Colombo Chief Magistrate, Thanuja Lakmali Jayatunga, yesterday (18) ordered that former Minister S.M. Chandrasena be remanded further until 01 August, over allegations of misappropriating Rs. 25 million worth of seed paddy funds allocated for poor farmers, in the Anuradhapura District, in 2014.
The funds were allegedly used to import maize seeds for distribution at subsidised rates. However, Chandrasena is accused of pressuring officials, including the Director of Planning at the District Secretariat, to distribute the maize seeds through political allies to gain electoral advantage for the then sitting President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, in the 2015 Presidential Election causing a loss to the government.
Investigators of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption told the court that statements from 70 government officials were due to be recorded, and the complainant, Nihal Wijethunga, had allegedly been assaulted by the suspect. They objected to bail, stating it could interfere with evidence and witness testimony.
However, President’s Counsel Chaminda Athukorala, appearing for Chandrasena, denied all charges, claiming his client had been unfairly remanded, based on false accusations. He said the complainant had fabricated an assault allegation, which police had already clarified in the Kahatagasdigiliya Magistrate’s Court, as verbal abuse only, not physical violence.
He accused the investigators of misleading the court, to which they responded, saying their claims were based on facts uncovered during formal investigations.
Attorneys Deshan Aluwihare, Maldini Herath, Nishara Gunaratne, and Chathura Kariyawasam joined PC Athukorala in representing the suspect.