Former SLRC Chairman, Director General arrested
Former Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Chairman Upali Sarath Kongahage and former Director General Siril Devapriya Abeysinghe were arrested today over the alleged misuse of Rs. 14.3 million in public funds to pay six unlawfully attached staff members of former Mass Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.
The arrests were made by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) at around 12:55 PM today (April 7).
According to the allegations, six employees were recruited beyond the approved cadre of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC). Although then Minister of Mass Media Keheliya Rambukwella already had a full personal staff, those employees were allegedly attached to his personal staff unlawfully.
Investigators say the SLRC then paid those employees Rs. 14,325,422.83 in salaries and allowances. The payments are alleged to amount to an offence of corruption.
The two suspects are due to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.
UPDATE – 06:30 PM:
Former Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Chairman Upali Sarath Kongahage and former Director General Siril Devapriya Abeysinghe were remanded until April 17, 2026, after being produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.
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