Former Minister S.M. Chandrasena Indicted Over Seed Maize Misuse

Former Minister S. M. Chandrasena has been indicted before the Colombo High Court on corruption charges. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) filed the indictments, presenting two charges against the ex-minister. The allegations stem from an incident between January 1 and December 31, 2014, in the Anuradhapura District, where Chandrasena is accused of influencing officials to distribute 36,000 kilograms of government-imported seed maize. This maize was intended for low-income farmers at concessionary prices but was allegedly distributed among his political associates. The offense is punishable under Section 70 of the Bribery Act.