News Today: Additional Secretary arrested for approving Rs.8.85 million payment amid corruption probe

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has arrested Additional Secretary to the Justice and National Integration Ministry, Rajapaksha Pathirage Sepalika Samankumari, over the approval of an Rs.8.85 million payment. This payment was meant as compensation for State land to Moneragala District MP Shashindra Rajapaksa while Samankumari served as Acting Director-General of the Office for Reparations.

She was released on strict bail conditions after being produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga Bodaragama. The Magistrate considered her long public service, the absence of personal gain, and the fact she had left her position when the payment was disbursed. Bail was granted on two personal bails of Rs. 1 million each, and guarantors’ residences were certified. The Justice Ministry Secretary was ordered to prevent her from performing any duties related to the Office for Reparations.

CIABOC claimed that the payment, for a Mahaweli Authority land plot in Sevanagala damaged during civil unrest, was improperly approved. The Cabinet-appointed Reparations Committee had initially rejected the claim. Despite this, Samankumari sent a letter to the Mahaweli Authority requesting approval or objection, allegedly under the influence of MP Shashindra Rajapaksa.

President’s Counsel Suhada Gamlath argued that Samankumari was a reputable public servant, emphasizing that she had only temporarily held the Acting DG role and the approval followed previous recommendations. He claimed the CIABOC acted under political pressure.

CIABOC maintained that public servants take an oath not to commit illegal acts and that Samankumari’s actions aided misappropriation of Rs.8.8 million. The case will continue with further reports due on October 14.