Former Chief Minister’s Private Secretary Arrested Over Corruption Allegations

17-Jun-2026

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The personal secretary of former Southern Provincial Chief Minister Shan Wijayalal De Silva, Wasantha Hennedige Dayapala, has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption over allegations of irregularities in a chair procurement deal.

He was arrested on 15 June on charges of causing financial loss to the state and violating procurement procedures.

The arrest is linked to alleged irregularities in a project implemented in 2019 under the Southern Provincial Development Authority.

Investigations revealed that chairs purchased under a Rs. 16.5 million allocation were distributed to offices and residences of 54 provincial council members across three districts, bypassing proper procurement procedures and favouring a specific supplier, resulting in financial loss to the government.