Former Finance Secretary Charitha Ratwatte granted bail

4 November 2025 06:33 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 5 Bookmark

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By Bhagya Silva

Colombo, Nov. 4 (Daily Mirror) - Former Finance Ministry Secretary Charitha Ratwatte, who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) was released on bail over allegations of causing a financial loss of Rs. 99.6 million to the government by importing 50 temporary paddy storage units in violation of due procedures during his tenure as a senior advisor to former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama granted bail to the suspect, who was released on two sureties of Rs. 1 million each. The court further imposed a foreign travel ban on the suspect.

The Bribery Commission informed court that Ratwatte was arrested this morning and produced before the court later in the day.

According to the prosecution, the suspect had, in 2015, without following proper procurement procedures and without any necessity, approved the import of 50 temporary paddy storage silos through the Ceylon Government Commercial Corporation, incurring a loss of Rs. 99,679,799.70 to the state and conferring an equivalent benefit to an external party.

The Commission further stated in its “B” report that Ratwatte’s actions were carried out outside the prescribed administrative process and without valid justification.

It was also revealed that during the period in question, Charitha Ratwatte served as a senior advisor to then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Meanwhile, the former Chairman of the Ceylon Government Commercial Corporation, Husein Ahmed Bahila, who was arrested earlier in connection with the same incident, was released on bail last Friday.

The case is scheduled to be called again on January 23.

Comments - 5

Tilak Tuesday, 04 November 2025 06:51 PM

This government has started to politically victimize former government officers of just because they served governments which were opposed to the present party in power.

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Dr Tissa Fernando Tuesday, 04 November 2025 10:57 PM

Spies working for Pachawatte office collected copies of various documents when Pachawatte Brothers were in the opposition, so based on those documents, they are arresting a selected individuals . So far no arrest of Jagath Manuwarana despite court ruling. The Magistrate who ruled that will likely to be transfered to some low profile location.

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Zarook Wednesday, 05 November 2025 09:45 AM

Current advisors could look forward to a similar fate under a future regime.

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Dharmapriya Wednesday, 05 November 2025 07:59 AM

There are so many cases against NPP's present ministers. We need a proper investigation for them as well. It seems they're only targeting other political party members and senior government officials who served under previous governments.

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Piyasaki Pangedara Wednesday, 05 November 2025 10:50 AM

Thives are garlendeded by Pina, foor example, Gonawila Sunil had given a JP position while he had many court cases! Is that the way the ew government react!

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