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PersonIn custody

Chamara Sampath Dassanayake

Listed from published reports. Appearing here is not a finding of wrongdoing. The custody or bail mark follows the dated status line below and may be out of date.

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Details

Role

Member of Parliament for Badulla District; former State Minister of Primary Industries; Chief Minister of Uva Province in 2016

Status

Arrested by the bribery commission on 12 October 2026 and remanded until 23 October 2026; separately charged over a 2016 cheque; no verdict reported

Appears on

Politicians and investigators

Last checked

12 Oct 2026 (what this means)

Coming court dates

23 Oct 2026

Remanded until this date

Connections (3)

• Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption / Arrested, October 2026 / Chamara Sampath DassanayakeAllegation
  • The commission arrested him on 12 October 2026 after he came to give a statement. The article describes him as a former minister and current Member of Parliament.12 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · MP Chamara Sampath arrested by Bribery Commission
  • In April 2025 the Badulla District MP was bailed in an earlier bribery case filed by the commission. He told Parliament that three cases had been filed against him and that he was the first person arrested under the new Anti-Corruption Act.8 Apr 2025 · Newswire · ‘I’m first to be arrested under new Anti-Corruption Act' - MP Chamara Sampath
• Chamara Sampath Dassanayake / Arrested and remanded in / Phosphate export bribery inquiryAllegation
  • The investigation concerns allegations that he solicited Rs. 8.1 million from three companies in exchange for facilitating phosphate exports without proper procedure and helping them obtain export licences. His private secretary from his time as State Minister of Primary Industries was also arrested. The article carries no response from him.12 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · MP Chamara Sampath arrested by Bribery Commission
  • The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court remanded him until 23 October 2026.12 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · MP Chamara Sampath remanded
  • According to the commission, he is also accused of soliciting and accepting bribes from three gem businessmen, and the phosphate payments, put at Rs. 8.4 million, went into his former private secretary’s bank account and were used for his political promotion.12 Oct 2026 · Newswire · Bribe from gem businessmen ? : Why Chamara Sampath was arrested
• Chamara Sampath Dassanayake / Charged in / Uva Provincial Council cheque caseAllegation
  • The commission’s case alleges that he deposited a cheque issued for the Uva Provincial Council into his personal bank account while Chief Minister in 2016. On 24 March 2026 the Colombo High Court fixed 30 April for a pre-trial conference.24 Mar 2026 · Newswire · Bribery case against MP Chamara Sampath Dasanayake fixed for April 30