Opposition Parliamentarian Chamara Sampath Dassanayake has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) after appearing before the Commission to provide a statement. The arrest follows an investigation into allegations that he solicited a bribe of Rs 8.1 million from three selected companies in exchange for facilitating phosphate exports without following the proper procedures and assisting the companies in obtaining the necessary export licences.

Sumathipala Liyanarachchi, who served as Dassanayake’s private secretary during his tenure as the Primary Industries State Minister, was also arrested in connection with the investigation.

Dassanayake had appeared before the CIABOC yesterday (12) following a summons issued by the Commission to record a statement in connection with an ongoing investigation into a bribery incident.

Dassanayake, who was arrested by the CIABOC on charges of allegedly soliciting bribes, has been remanded by the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court until 23 October. He was ordered remanded by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga Bodaragama, after considering the facts presented before Court by the CIABOC and the defence counsel.