Uva Chief Secretary Mahesh Gammanpila arrested over controversial fertiliser deal

Tuesday, 29 April 2025 03:35 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Mahesh Gammanpila

Uva Province Chief Secretary and former National Fertiliser Secretariat Director, Mahesh Gammanpila was arrested yesterday by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over his alleged role in a controversial organic fertiliser import deal.

The arrest stems from accusations that Gammanpila, during his tenure as Additional Secretary at the Agriculture Ministry, instructed the reopening of suspended Letters of Credit (LCs) to facilitate the import of substandard organic fertiliser from a Chinese supplier. The move, which bypassed established quality controls, drew sharp criticism and sparked wider investigations into procurement practices within the agricultural sector.

Gammanpila, who currently serves as President of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service Association (SLASA), and has long been a prominent figure in the country’s civil service. His arrest therefore indicates a major development in broader efforts to tackle corruption and reinforce accountability within the public sector. Following his Court appearance, Gammanpila was ordered to be remanded till 5 May as investigations continue. CIABOC has indicated that inquiries into related matters are still underway, signalling that further action could follow.