Court grants bail to former MP Sajin Vass Gunawardena

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered the release of former Member of Parliament Sajin Vass Gunawardena on bail today. The Bribery Commission arrested the suspect regarding allegations of acquiring illegal assets worth Rs. 243.8 million.

The Magistrate imposed two personal bails of Rs. 5 million each and issued a travel ban against the suspect. These orders followed the suspect's production in court by prison officials.

The Bribery Commission informed the court that the charges focus on undisclosed assets accumulated between 2015 and 2026. Investigating officers revealed that the suspect and his family undertook 27 foreign trips during this period without providing records of the associated expenses.

Furthermore, investigations uncovered personal bank accounts maintained by the suspect's wife containing approximately Rs. 34 million. The Commission also noted that she started a new business venture valued at over Rs. 40 million, which remains under investigation.

While the Bribery Commission requested the suspect remain in custody to record statements from his wife and others, the defence counsel successfully moved for bail. The former MP was initially taken into custody on the 9th after arriving at the Commission to provide a statement and remained in remand until today's ruling.