Former Moratuwa Mayor Samanlal Fernando arrested

Former Mayor of the Moratuwa Municipal Council, Samanlal Fernando, has been taken into custody by officials of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

It is reported that he was arrested in connection with allegations of causing losses to the government by awarding road development projects of the Moratuwa Municipal Council to his associates.

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UPDATE – 03:20 PM:

Former Mayor of the Moratuwa Municipal Council, Samanlal Fernando, who was arrested earlier today (September 10) by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), has been remanded until September 23, 2025, by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.

He was remanded after being produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court this evening (September 10).

Appearing on behalf of the CIABOC, Police Inspector U.P. Wickramaarachchi stated that under the Urban and Rural Road Development Project, the suspect had caused a financial loss to the government by violating financial regulations and making payments related to 112 development project contracts of the Moratuwa Municipal Council to his associates.

After considering the facts, the Chief Magistrate ordered that all documents relevant to the investigation be handed over to the CIABOC and directed the Commission to report the progress of the investigation to the court on the next date.

Accordingly, the suspect was remanded until September 23, 2025.