Former Railways and Engineering Chiefs Released on Bail

COLOMBO (News 1st);  Two former senior government officials—Sumathipala Mahanama Abeywickrama, former General Manager of the Department of Railways, and Sarathchandra Gunaratna Jayatilaka, former Director of the State Engineering Corporation—have been released on bail following their appearance before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court.

The arrests were made earlier today (3) by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) in connection with separate corruption investigations.

Sumathipala Mahanama was taken into custody over allegations that he retained I.L.K. Dissanayake, a driver found guilty in a departmental disciplinary inquiry, in service despite the ruling. The decision allegedly violated administrative procedures and raised concerns over abuse of authority.

Meanwhile, Sarathchandra Jayatilaka was arrested over irregularities in the renovation of the United National Party headquarters at Sirikotha, which was reportedly carried out without following proper procurement procedures. The project is said to have caused a financial loss of Rs. 1.667 million to the State Engineering Corporation. He also faces allegations of providing undue benefit to a political party using state resources.

After being presented before the magistrate, both suspects were granted bail pending further investigation.