Govt. Employee Remanded for Working at Ex-Minister's Fuel Station, Allegedly Causing State Loss

A Sri Lankan government employee faces remand until August 18, accused of defrauding the state by working at a private fuel station belonging to former Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam. The suspect, identified as Deepal Sanjeeva Ratnayake from Kuliyapitiya, was apprehended by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

Colombo Additional Magistrate Nuwan Kaushalya ordered the suspect's detention after the bribery commission argued that granting bail could hinder the ongoing investigation and tamper with evidence. The magistrate highlighted a suspicious detail: documents presented as evidence by the defense were allegedly dated 2026, despite the alleged offense occurring between 2022 and 2024.

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The magistrate ordered the suspect to be remanded in custody until the 18th of next month, considering the arguments presented by the Bribery Commission that granting bail could hinder the investigations and evidence.

This case raises questions about the misuse of public office and the integrity of documentation in legal proceedings. The court's decision to deny bail underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the need for a thorough investigation into the financial losses incurred by the state.

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The magistrate, in announcing his order, stated that although the incident on which this case is based relates to the period 2022-2024, the documents presented by the suspect party as evidence have been prepared in 2026, according to the prosecution.