Ex-North-Central CM, secretary sentenced to 16 years RI for corruption

2 April 2025 10:16 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 29 Bookmark

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By Bhagya Silva

Colombo, April 02 (Daily Mirror) - Colombo High Court Judge Aditya Patabendi today sentenced former North Central Province Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith and his private secretary Shanthi Chandrasena — the spouse of former Minister S.M. Chandrasena — to 16 years of rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty of corruption charges.

In addition to their prison sentences, both convicts were ordered to pay a fine of Rs. 200,000 each.

The two accused were convicted on charges filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), specifically for committing acts of 'corruption.'

The case was initiated based on allegations that between September 27, 2012, and December 31, 2014, S.M. Ranjith, while serving as Chief Minister of the North Central Province, facilitated his private secretary, the second accused, in unlawfully obtaining a fuel allowance of Rs. 2.68 million.

Despite already receiving a salary-based fuel allowance, the second accused allegedly obtained an additional fuel allowance for her official vehicle through undue influence. The Bribery Commission prosecuted the case based on these charges.

S.M. Ranjith Samarakoon is a brother of former Minister of Lands S.M. Chandrasena.

Comments - 29

Rogue Wednesday, 02 April 2025 10:32 AM

Fantastic, first of many to come.

2 36

Seeya did it, Pachaya brags about it Wednesday, 02 April 2025 03:12 PM

To all the primitive dobbies including 'Rogue' out there: please try to grasp the timeline. The indictments against S.M. Ranjith were served on 3rd April 2023—squarely during Seeya’s tenure — for offenses committed between 2012 and 2014 (Rajapakse's time). Your beloved Pachaya has absolutely nothing to do with this process except perhaps to ride the system Seeya put in place. At best he can stand in the spotlight and CLAIM CREDIT for successful litigation born from the very Anti-Corruption Act Seeya championed.

8 1

Seeya did it, Pachaya brags about it Wednesday, 02 April 2025 03:12 PM

To all the primitive dobbies including 'Rogue' out there: please try to grasp the timeline. The indictments against S.M. Ranjith were served on 3rd April 2023—squarely during Seeya’s tenure — for offenses committed between 2012 and 2014 (Rajapakse's time). Your beloved Pachaya has absolutely nothing to do with this process except perhaps to ride the system Seeya put in place. At best he can stand in the spotlight and CLAIM CREDIT for successful litigation born from the very Anti-Corruption Act Seeya championed.

9 4

Seeya did it, Pachaya brags about it Wednesday, 02 April 2025 03:15 PM

To all the primitive dobbies out there: please try to grasp the basic timeline. The indictments against S.M. Ranjith were served on 3rd April 2023 — squarely during Seeya’s tenure — for offenses committed between 2012 and 2014. So do try and grow up. Your beloved dobbie has absolutely nothing to do with this process except perhaps to ride the system Seeya put in place. At best, he can stand in the spotlight and claim credit for successful litigation born from the very Anti-Corruption Act Seeya championed.

9 1

Joshua Thursday, 03 April 2025 06:59 AM

Yeah seesaws the indictments were served but wouldn't done anything after that. Now under NPP judiciary has absolute independence. So Ranjith and his beloved secretary can serve the full term.

0 1

Steve Wednesday, 02 April 2025 10:33 AM

What about the Rajapakses? Why only sprats?

6 27

Ram P Wednesday, 02 April 2025 04:34 PM

This case was filed many years back and concluded ony now. Rajapaksas too will face the music soon when the investigations are complete. Let's hold our breath till then

0 12

Nihal S Wednesday, 02 April 2025 10:41 AM

Excellent, we want to read more of theses news. Hopefully more on the way. Why the verdict does not ask them to refund those money earned wrong way. They should come back to the Government.

1 28

Hgfhhjjkkkbvcc Wednesday, 02 April 2025 10:44 AM

Well done, it's super, I was waiting till some allegations will come up for this chandrasena family of Anuradhapura, I think hats off to the judiciary, the next should be SM chandrasiri, bloody rough. Rightly speaking they should be jailed for life.

1 28

Mani Wednesday, 02 April 2025 11:05 AM

Law

1 20

Gota Wednesday, 02 April 2025 11:11 AM

Excellent, Lot more in the queue waiting to be sent to heaven.

1 27

Lion Wednesday, 02 April 2025 11:15 AM

It is a pleasure to see That the boys are going one by one to the courts and getting the award due to them, this time with the spouse. Those who fool the government for not catching the rouges should think twice before making this remark

0 24

EMILY JOACK Wednesday, 02 April 2025 11:18 AM

full term must be served ,we need to stop corruption to develop the country

0 22

Insider Wednesday, 02 April 2025 11:22 AM

Good things are happening bow. Wait patiently for another year and celebrate 2026 with clean sri lanka, cleaned of crooks and looters.

0 23

Mina Wednesday, 02 April 2025 11:29 AM

Culprit will definitely appeal this sentence by using a presidents Counciller and his ill gotten money will be thrown for the purpose. Hope the learned judges will pass the same sentence or much harsher sentence to the criminal.

1 20

Rip Winkle Wednesday, 02 April 2025 11:30 AM

Let's see how the big fish are handled ...

1 20

Kandy man Wednesday, 02 April 2025 11:30 AM

Next in line to receive the certificate will be Mavillaru rough

3 14

Ranjan Smarasinghe Wednesday, 02 April 2025 12:25 PM

Please do not shoe mercy on these parasites that feed on the society like vultures. What requires is: Go after the money they pilfered via taking over their properties.

0 15

Sam Wednesday, 02 April 2025 12:52 PM

I do not see any plan in the court order to recover those money owned by public. Is this correct?

1 23

US Wednesday, 02 April 2025 01:08 PM

I feel sorry for the two, but they should have thought about it before engaging in corruption. This is a good lesson for everyone who tries to loot.

3 6

Kandaih Balendran Wednesday, 02 April 2025 01:12 PM

What about Ravi K and Rajitha S ?

1 13

NS Wednesday, 02 April 2025 01:48 PM

Very goo news. We want to see verdict on Chamara Sampath

0 4

Vadivelu Yogaratnam Wednesday, 02 April 2025 02:12 PM

Good should be in every other high profile corruption cases no excuses good luck to the president and to his team, finally corrupted political street getting cleaned which stagnated for the last 70 years since independence.

0 3

Lasa Perera Wednesday, 02 April 2025 02:27 PM

This burger has obtained membership of Dilith's party recently.

0 6

Dr Tissa Fernando Wednesday, 02 April 2025 04:31 PM

Thos is a politically motivated conviction 16 years for Rs 2.68 million for 2 persons is that too much? What about drug dealers? We never heard of any conviction so far? We heard that they being released on bail so thay vould dissappear. The cost to the government to feed them for 16 years would be more than Rs 2.68 million. The funny thing is that they get to keep the looted money as they only need to pay back Rs 200,000. That is why , this has more political vendetta rather than justice. What about those who were alleged to have taken Billions? Do far no convictions .

7 1

Rogue Wednesday, 02 April 2025 09:21 PM

Is your name Baby Namal by any chance?

0 1

Dr Soori Maripalan Wednesday, 02 April 2025 05:02 PM

Myna and Pina civered-up with these cases to get their power! Dirty people! Myna and Pina are also responsible to let them grow of these corruptions! 16 years NOT ENOUGH! Must be life time!

0 5

wickrama Wijayasiri Wednesday, 02 April 2025 06:53 PM

Applaud the Government for not interfering with the judiciary. Dilith will stage a protest campaign? Seeya is already asking for clemency for these crooks.

0 1

Rogue Wednesday, 02 April 2025 09:15 PM

That maybe the case, but under your seeya and MR it was just a show for the citizens to make it look like 'you' cared about justice. Every single person who went to court for corruption and bribery how many got convicted and jailed.... Zero, why would 'they' convict and jail one tarred with the same brush? Now we have a system where the law applies to everyone no matter who you are, no one is above the law! I look forward to seeing "you' seeya, and MR convicted and jailed for their crimes. From your comment I can tell that you too are guilty of something and you will get your turn in court with the no nonsense judicial system. :)

0 1

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