holding political meetings with government money, claiming they are Sugishwara special projects

Investigations have revealed that state funds obtained under the Presidential expenditure head, claiming to be for special projects, were used to hold political meetings without implementing any projects. This was informed to Colombo Additional Magistrate Nuwan Kaushalya by officers of the Central Criminal Investigation Bureau when the suspect, Sugishwara Bandara, who served as the private secretary to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and as the special projects director to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, was produced before the court.

Considering the facts presented, the Magistrate ordered the suspect Sugishwara Bandara, who was in remand custody, to be further remanded until the 25th.

This complaint has been filed alleging the misuse of funds by obtaining salaries and allowances from the money allocated under the Presidential expenditure head during the period from July 14, 2022, to December 21, 2024. When the suspect was produced before the court by prison officials, a further progress report on the investigations conducted into the incident was also submitted by the Central Criminal Investigation Bureau.

A detailed report on the political meetings held using the relevant funds has also been submitted to the court, and the police stated that statements are expected to be recorded from individuals who allegedly worked in the special projects division in the future. The Magistrate ordered the police to inform the court again on the 25th about the progress of the investigations being conducted into the incident.