COLOMBO: The Colombo High Court has scheduled the trial of former Minister Chandrani Bandara for July 18, following her indictment on 11 counts of corruption and abuse of authority during her tenure under the previous Yahapalana administration.
Bandara, who served as the Minister of Women, Child Affairs, and Dry Zone Development, is accused of unlawfully appointing close associates to key positions within her ministry, bypassing official procedures and violating public service regulations.
One of the central allegations involves the appointment of H.M. Chandrawansa as Project Director of the Dry Zone Development Programme without proper authorization.
Investigators also claim Bandara exerted undue influence on ministry officials to place several allies in various roles.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) filed the case on May 20, citing offenses committed between January 14 and 31, 2019.
The High Court formally accepted the charges on June 6, granting Bandara bail on two sureties of Rs. 1 million each.
