S. M. Ranjith (Samarakoon Mudiyanselage Ranjith / "S. M. Ranjith Samarakoon")
Chief Minister, North Central Provincial Council · Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP)
Overview
- Status
- SERVING SENTENCE
- Current Case
- A separate/fresh corruption prosecution reported in 2026 concerning fuel obtained while he was Chief Minister of the North Central Province, allegedly in addition to salary/fuel allowances, causing a loss to the State. Earlier reporting connected the prosecution to fuel expenditure of approximately Rs. 5.38 million.
- Sentence
- 16 years (confirmed total across 1 matter)
- Appeal
- Appeal filed 3 Apr 2025 (Court of Appeal) seeking acquittal; bail-pending-appeal petition filed 31 Jul 2025, hearing set 25 Aug 2025, outcome not found
- Next Hearing
- 2 April 2026
- Last Verified
- 18 February 2026
The short version
S. M. Ranjith (Samarakoon Mudiyanselage Ranjith / "S. M. Ranjith Samarakoon") is currently serving a prison sentence. A separate/fresh corruption prosecution reported in 2026 concerning fuel obtained while he was Chief Minister of the North Central Province, allegedly in addition to salary/fuel allowances, causing a loss to the State. Earlier reporting connected the prosecution to fuel expenditure of approximately Rs. 5.38 million. Daily Mirror and NewsFirst reported in February 2026 that this was another/fresh bribery case and that it was fixed for 2 April 2026. No reliable public report of the 2 April outcome was located in this research pass.
How did we get here?
- UpcomingCase 1
Next Step Pending
Appeal filed 3 Apr 2025 (Court of Appeal) seeking acquittal; bail-pending-appeal petition filed 31 Jul 2025, hearing set 25 Aug 2025, outcome not found
Court: Colombo High Court (trial); Court of Appeal (appeal)
- 2 April 2026Case 2
Hearing
Daily Mirror and NewsFirst reported in February 2026 that this was another/fresh bribery case and that it was fixed for 2 April 2026. No reliable public report of the 2 April outcome was located in this research pass.
Court: Colombo High Court
- 2 April 2025Case 1
Convicted — 16 years rigorous imprisonment + Rs. 200,000 (reported variously as a fine or as restitution)
Eight counts under Section 70 of the Bribery Act, plus (per one source only) counts under Penal Code Sections 113 and 102 - unlawfully causing state loss by arranging fuel allocations (valued variously at over Rs. 2.68 million or Rs. 5,379,623) for a co-accused's official vehicle despite her fuel allowance already being included in her salary
Court: Colombo High Court (trial); Court of Appeal (appeal)
Court cases
Eight counts under Section 70 of the Bribery Act, plus (per one source only) counts under Penal Code Sections 113 and 102 - unlawfully causing state loss by arranging fuel allocations (valued variously at over Rs. 2.68 million or Rs. 5,379,623) for a co-accused's official vehicle despite her fuel allowance already being included in her salary
What’s happened
Appeal filed 3 Apr 2025 (Court of Appeal) seeking acquittal; bail-pending-appeal petition filed 31 Jul 2025, hearing set 25 Aug 2025, outcome not found
- Court
- Colombo High Court (trial); Court of Appeal (appeal)
- Sentence
- 16 years rigorous imprisonment + Rs. 200,000 (reported variously as a fine or as restitution)
- Next hearing / due
- Appeal filed 3 Apr 2025 (Court of Appeal) seeking acquittal; bail-pending-appeal petition filed 31 Jul 2025, hearing set 25 Aug 2025, outcome not found
A separate/fresh corruption prosecution reported in 2026 concerning fuel obtained while he was Chief Minister of the North Central Province, allegedly in addition to salary/fuel allowances, causing a loss to the State. Earlier reporting connected the prosecution to fuel expenditure of approximately Rs. 5.38 million.
What’s happened
Daily Mirror and NewsFirst reported in February 2026 that this was another/fresh bribery case and that it was fixed for 2 April 2026. No reliable public report of the 2 April outcome was located in this research pass.
- Court
- Colombo High Court
- Next hearing / due
- 2 April 2026
Political career
Ministerial positions
No ministerial positions publicly confirmed.
Other political positions
Chief Minister, North Central Provincial Council
2012–2015
Party history
Provincial political career is associated with the SLFP/UPFA camp, but exact formal membership start and end dates were not established. The 2012 Chief Minister start is evidence of political context, not a joining date.