Former water board chairman Nishantha Ranatunga granted bail over alleged corruption
Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama on 10 November ordered the release on bail of former National Water Supply and Drainage Board Chairman Nishantha Ranatunga. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption arrested Ranatunga over allegations of causing a loss of nearly Rs. 14.8 million to the government during his tenure. CIABOC told the court that Ranatunga illegally assigned four board workers to his personal service between 2020 and 2024. These included two contract workers used as personal drivers and two security officers stationed at his private residence. Objecting to bail, CIABOC alleged Ranatunga had threatened staff with dismissal and could influence witnesses. Defence lawyers argued that security personnel were deployed because of threats to Ranatunga's life and water installations during strikes and the economic crisis.
