Former Uva Deputy Financial Secretary granted bail

 The former Deputy Chief Financial Secretary of the Uva Provincial Council, Sumithra Silva, was released on bail yesterday in connection with the alleged financial misappropriation case involving MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake.

 

Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela granted bail on two sureties of Rs. 1 million each after the suspect was arrested for allegedly facilitating the premature withdrawal of six fixed deposits maintained by the Uva Provincial Council at the National Savings Bank’s Badulla branch causing a financial loss exceeding Rs. 173 million to the government.

 

The withdrawals were reportedly made under the directive of Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, who was serving as a member of the Uva Provincial Council at the time.

 

Appearing on behalf of the suspect, Counsel Mahinda Mathugama told court that due to the financial crisis that prevailed at the time in the Uva Provincial Council, funds were required for the payment of employee salaries and advances. And all financial transactions were carried out with the knowledge of the council’s chief authority and were in line with the council’s financial regulations.