Sugeeshwara Bandara, who served as private secretary to ex-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has been produced before court following his arrest on allegations of drawing salaries from two government positions simultaneously.
Sugeeshwara Bandara, a political activist and former private secretary to ex-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, appeared before the Fort Magistrate's Court on Wednesday in connection with an investigation into alleged misappropriation of state funds. Bandara was arrested on June 18 after authorities determined he had received salaries from two government institutions during overlapping periods.
According to investigators, Bandara held the position of private secretary to the former president in 2022 while simultaneously serving as Project Director at the Presidential Secretariat. The Anti-Corruption Committee of the Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry had initially flagged the financial discrepancy to the Central Crime Investigation Bureau, citing alleged irregularities under the President's Expenditure Head.
The arrest took place in Colpetty following the investigation's findings. After his court appearance, Bandara was remanded in custody pending further proceedings, as authorities continue examining the circumstances surrounding his dual employment and compensation arrangements.
