Rs. 8.5M Compensation: Justice Min Official Out on Bail

COLOMBO (News 1st); Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered the release of Sepalika Saman Kumari, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, on bail following her arrest by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

The Magistrate directed that the suspect be released on two surety bails of Rs. 1 million each.

Saman Kumari was arrested over allegations of approving Rs. 8.5 million in compensation to former Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa without proper authorization from the Board of Directors of the Office for Reparations. 

The payment was reportedly made for damages to property during the May 9, 2022 unrest, despite an earlier decision to reject compensation for an unauthorized building constructed on Mahaweli Authority land in Sewanagala, Kiribbanwewa.

Investigators allege that the suspect, who was serving as Acting Director General of the Office for Reparations at the time, influenced officials to process the payment, thereby committing offenses under the Bribery Act and the Public Property Act.

The Magistrate noted that there was no evidence suggesting the suspect personally benefited financially, and her service record was considered in granting bail.