Former Minister of Women, Child Affairs, and Dry Zone Development, Chandrani Bandara, was formally indicted before the Colombo High Court yesterday (06) on charges of corruption, allegedly committed during her tenure under the Yahapalana government.
The indictments, filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), were presented before High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige.
Bandara is accused of misusing her ministerial authority by appointing H.M. Chandrawansa as Project Director of the Dry Zone Development programme without adhering to due process. She is also alleged to have influenced the appointment of several close associates to positions within the Ministry in violation of public service regulations.
These acts are said to constitute an offence of “corruption” under the Bribery Act. Following the reading of the indictment, the court ordered the accused to be fingerprinted and granted bail on two surety bonds of Rs. 1 million each.