Hearing of case against ex-minister Chandrani Bandara moved to March

The Colombo High Court has scheduled a new hearing for the case against former Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Chandrani Bandara, for March 5, 2026. This case, filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), involves accusations of corruption. During the session, Judge Ravindra Premaratne listened to President’s Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetty, who represents Bandara. He raised early objections about changes made to the charges against her. After reviewing these points, the judge decided to postpone the case until March 5, 2026. The indictments state that between January 14 and January 31, 2019, Bandara allegedly engaged in corrupt practices by appointing H.M. Chandrawansa as Project Director of the Ministry of Dry Zone Development without following proper procedures. She is also accused of improperly influencing the ministry secretary and other officials to hire some of her associates for different positions, breaching legal protocols.