A former Additional Secretary to the State Ministry of Agriculture has been arrested by the Bribery Commission over the controversial 2021 import of substandard fertilizer from China's Qingdao Seawin Biotech.

The official is accused of causing Government losses by directing the re-opening of suspended Letters of Credit (LC), resulting in a $6.9 million payment for the faulty stock.

He was produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (28) and was ordered to be remanded until 5 May.

The case stems from the first batch of organic fertilizer that sparked widespread controversy over its quality.