The Colombo Magistrate's Court ordered the arrest and remand of MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake until April 1 on suspicion of causing a loss of over Rs. 1.73 million to the Uva Provincial Council. The loss reportedly occurred when he withdrew six fixed deposits belonging to the council before maturity in 2016 after the National Savings Bank rejected his request for sponsorship to provide bags for preschool children.

The Bribery Commission informed the court that the investigation had been delayed due to witness intimidation and political pressure. The complaint was filed in 2016 by Samantha Vidyarathna.

President's Counsel Anuja Premaratne, appearing for Dassanayake, claimed the arrest was politically motivated, noting his client had previously provided a statement to the commission in 2019.

In separate cases, the Magistrate released Dassanayake on cash bail of Rs. 50,000 and three personal bails of Rs. 5 million each for allegedly receiving Rs. 1 million from the Bank of Ceylon and Rs. 2.5 million from the People's Bank under the Chamara Sampath Dassanayake Foundation instead of crediting the funds to the Provincial Council's accounts.

The court imposed a travel ban on Dassanayake, ordered him to surrender his passport, and set the next hearing for August 29.