Shasheendra Remanded Over Public Property Compensation Fraud

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa has been remanded until August 19 following his arrest by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, in connection with a controversial compensation claim involving public property.

Rajapaksa was presented before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, where investigators outlined allegations that he had exerted undue influence on state officials to secure compensation for a property in the Sevanagala Kiribban Wewa area, which is legally owned by the Mahaweli Authority.

The property in question was reportedly damaged during the May 9, 2022 public uprising, and despite its ownership being vested in the state, attempts were allegedly made to claim compensation through improper channels.

The charges include:

-Corruption
-Conspiracy to defraud state assets
-Improper use of Mahaweli Authority property