Shan Wijayalal remanded over alleged procurement irregularities

Colombo, June 10 (Daily Mirror) - Former Chief Minister of the Southern Province and former Member of Parliament Shan Wijayalal de Silva has been remanded until June 12 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court.

De Silva was arrested on Tuesday (10) by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption after appearing before the Commission to provide a statement.

The allegations relate to the procurement of chairs for voluntary associations in the province using an MP allocation of Rs. 16.5 million in 2019. Investigators claim that a manufacturing company was selected outside the prescribed procurement procedure, resulting in an undue benefit to the supplier.

He is also accused of causing a loss to the state by arranging for 16,361 chairs purchased under the programme to be transported and delivered to the homes and offices of 54 Provincial Council members.

Following his arrest, the court ordered that he be remanded until June 12 while investigations continue.