Court rejects former Mahaweli Authority Director General’s anticipatory bail application

By Bhagya Silva

Colombo, Dec. 5 (Daily Mirror) - Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today rejected the anticipatory bail application filed by former Director General of the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority, Keerthi B. Kotagama.

Kotagama had sought an order preventing his potential arrest in connection with investigations into a case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption against former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa, relating to the alleged wrongful use of State property.

During the previous hearing, Assistant Director Sulochana Hettiarachchi, appearing for the Bribery Commission, made submissions outlining the basis of the investigations.

She submitted that preliminary investigations into the incident commenced on 27 May 2025. An extent of land in Sewanagala had been destroyed during the public unrest on 9 May 2022, and former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa had allegedly obtained Rs. 8.8 million as compensation for the damage. 

Charges had been filed against him under the Offences Against Public Property Act. He is currently on bail.

At the time of the incident, the petitioner served as the Director General of the Mahaweli Authority. Although approval from the relevant Minister was required, the petitioner had allegedly acted on his own authority. A letter had also been sent to the then Irrigation Minister. Subsequently, the petitioner is suspected of sending documents in support of releasing the compensation and acting according to his own wishes.

The Bribery Commission further submitted that steps had been taken to record a statement from the then Irrigation Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, who is currently abroad. He has been notified to appear before the Commission upon his return to the country.

It was also submitted that Saman Ekanayake, the Private Secretary to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, had suspended the release of Mahaweli lands at the time. On 13 September 2022, the petitioner had allegedly influenced subordinate officers and proceeded with releasing the compensation. Documents relating to the compensation had been sent from the Walawa Mahaweli Office to Colombo, using the powers vested with the Minister.

Charges have been filed under the Offences Against Public Property Act against former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa for allegedly obtaining Rs. 8.8 million in compensation and the Bribery Commission submitted that the petitioner had facilitated the process.

Counsel appearing for the petitioner argued that Kotagama, in his capacity as former Director General of the Mahaweli Authority, had not exerted any undue influence on the release of the compensation and that he had merely carried out his official duties. Counsel further informed Court that the petitioner currently serves as a Director General at a reputed private institution.

After considering the submissions, the Court ordered the rejection of the application.