Anura Priyadarshana Yapa arrested

Former Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and his wife have been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

According to Police Media Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manatunga, the former minister and his wife were taken into custody this evening (January 22) in connection with a financial fraud case involving the alleged misuse of Rs. 6.1 million in flood relief funds received by the government in 2014.

It is alleged that in 2014, a sum of Rs. 6,146,110 was obtained by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation under the pretext of providing relief to those displaced by floods in the Bingiriya and Narammala areas. However, the funds were reportedly utilized for campaign activities during the 2015 Presidential Election instead of being used for the intended purpose.

The Police Media Spokesman stated that the arrest was made based on the Attorney General’s advice, as the funds were misappropriated, constituting both criminal misuse and an offense under the Public Property Act.

The suspects are scheduled to be presented before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court tomorrow (January 23).

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is conducting further investigations into the matter.