Bribery cases involving Chamara Sampath span four gem claims and a phosphate matter

Newswire reports that Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama considered submissions from the Bribery Commission and lawyers for the suspects on the 23rd. Newsfirst (සිංහල) reports that the case was heard that day before the same magistrate.

Newswire reports that each suspect was ordered to provide two surety bonds of Rs. 1 million for each of the four cases and that overseas travel bans were imposed on both. Newswire reports that the four cases are scheduled to return to court on January 26.

Newswire reports that three of the four cases concern allegations of payments from gem traders so they could continue operating without interference while Dassanayake was State Minister of Primary Industries. Newswire reports that one case alleges he demanded Rs. 1.2 million and received Rs. 500,000; another alleges he demanded and accepted Rs. 1 million; and a third concerns an alleged Rs. 200,000 payment. Newswire reports that the Bribery Commission identified another person as a second suspect in the proceedings.

Daily Mirror and Newswire report that Dassanayake and his former secretary were ordered to remain in custody until November 6 in the phosphate-licence case. Daily Mirror reports an alleged total of Rs. 8.4 million from three phosphate-importing companies; Newswire reports an alleged Rs. 8.1 million from three private companies connected with licences needed for phosphate exports, and says the suspects are also accused of aiding and abetting the alleged offence. Newsfirst (සිංහල), Newsfirst, Hiru News, Ada Derana (සිංහල), Ada Derana (தமிழ்), and Ada Derana also report that the pair were ordered to remain in custody until November 6.