S.M. Chandrasena indicted over seed maize distribution case

Colombo, July 02 (Daily Mirror) - Former Minister S.M. Chandrasena, who faces corruption allegations, was today served with an indictment before the Colombo High Court after the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption filed charges against him, with the indictment being read before Colombo High Court Judge Ravindra Premaratne.

Following the indictment, the judge ordered that the accused be released on cash bail of Rs. 50,000 and two surties of Rs. 1 million each. The case was fixed for further hearing on July 22.

According to the indictment, between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014, Chandrasena allegedly abused his official position by exerting influence over the Director of Procurement and other officials of the Anuradhapura District Secretariat to distribute 36,000 kilograms of seed maize, imported at state expense for sale to impoverished farmers at concessionary prices, among his political supporters with the intention of securing political advantage during the Presidential election.