S. M. Chandrasena
Former Cabinet/Deputy Minister and former MP · Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)
1
Legal matters
0
Investigations
1
Charges pending
0
Acquitted / dismissed
Next in court
Not publicly confirmed
S. M. Chandrasena is currently on trial.
CIABOC alleges that in 2014 Chandrasena used undue influence over Anuradhapura District officials to have about 36,000 kg of seed maize, imported at state expense for low-income farmers (reported cost about Rs. 25 million), distributed to his political associates instead. The allegation is untested in court.
The full running account, event by event, is in the Timeline and Court Cases tabs below.
S. M. Chandrasena legal timeline
- 12 October 2026
Hearing
Further trial hearing fixed for 12 October 2026 before Colombo High Court Judge Ravindra Premarathne, as set at the 22 September hearing.
Court: Colombo High Court
Sources (1)
- 22 September 2026
Hearing
The trial continued before Colombo High Court Judge Ravindra Premarathne. Shantha Bandara, former Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Development, testified that the seed-maize distribution project had been approved in accordance with the Ministry's procedures. This is witness testimony, not a judicial finding. Further trial was fixed for 12 October 2026.
Court: Colombo High Court
Sources (1)
- 22 July 2026
Hearing
A further hearing was fixed for 22 July 2026 when the indictment was served. No report of what happened that day was found.
Court: Colombo High Court
Sources (2)
- 2 July 2026
Hearing
The indictment was served on Chandrasena before Colombo High Court Judge Ravindra Premaratne, who granted bail on cash bail of Rs. 50,000 and two sureties of Rs. 1 million each. The case was fixed for 22 July.
Court: Colombo High Court
Sources (2)
- 12 June 2026
Indicted
News reports dated 12 June 2026 say CIABOC indicted Chandrasena before the Colombo High Court on two charges under Section 70 of the Bribery Act, alleging that in 2014 he used undue influence over public officials in Anuradhapura District, including the District Secretariat's planning director, to direct about 36,000 kg of state-funded seed maize to his associates.
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Reports differ on the official's title (Director of Planning or Director of Procurement).
Court: Colombo High Court
Sources (2)
- 1 August 2025
Bail Granted
The Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court granted bail on 1 August 2025 on cash bail of Rs. 50,000 and two sureties of Rs. 5 million each, with an overseas travel ban and surrender of his passport. A CIABOC officer told the court the investigation was nearing completion; the case was fixed for 9 January 2026.
Court: Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court
Sources (1)
- 4 July 2025
Remanded
The Bribery Commission arrested Chandrasena on 4 July 2025 after he gave a statement, and the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court remanded him until 18 July. On 18 July the court remanded him further until 1 August.
Court: Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court
Sources (4)
S. M. Chandrasena court cases
Seed maize political distribution case
CIABOC alleges that in 2014 Chandrasena used undue influence over Anuradhapura District officials to have about 36,000 kg of seed maize, imported at state expense for low-income farmers (reported cost about Rs. 25 million), distributed to his political associates instead. The allegation is untested in court.
What’s happened
Arrested 4 Jul 2025 and remanded; bailed by the Colombo Chief Magistrate on 1 Aug 2025. CIABOC indicted him before the Colombo High Court on two charges under Section 70 of the Bribery Act (reported 12 Jun 2026); the indictment was served on 2 Jul 2026 before Judge Ravindra Premaratne, who granted bail on Rs. 50,000 cash and two sureties of Rs. 1 million each.
The trial is under way: on 22 Sep 2026 former Ministry of Economic Development Additional Secretary Shantha Bandara testified that the seed-maize project had been approved under the Ministry's procedures (witness testimony, not a finding). No verdict; further trial fixed for 12 Oct 2026.
- Court
- Colombo High Court (Judge Ravindra Premarathne)
- Next hearing / due
- Next hearing not confirmed
S. M. Chandrasena in the news
In the news
Stories in the news feed that name S. M. Chandrasena, with every outlet’s report of each grouped together. These are other outlets’ reports; what they say is not Nadu’s verified record.
No stories naming S. M. Chandrasena in the news right now. New reports appear here as outlets publish them.
S. M. Chandrasena political career
Ministerial positions
Former Cabinet/Deputy Minister and former MP
Dates not publicly confirmed
Other political positions
No other positions publicly confirmed.
S. M. Chandrasena party history
SLFP membership established before Nov 2018.
On 11 Nov 2018 he said colleagues had obtained SLPP membership and that he expected to become a member that day. That proves intention, not completion. Membership/electoral association is definite by 2020.