Keheliya Rambukwella arrested by CIABOC

Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) today (August 18) over two separate corruption-related allegations.

According to CIABOC, Rambukwella was arrested by investigating officers at around 11:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. in connection with allegations of corruption, aiding and abetting corruption, and conspiracy.

The first allegation relates to the recruitment of six employees in excess of the approved staff cadre of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation while Rambukwella was serving as Minister of Mass Media.

He is accused of conspiring to recruit the six employees and unlawfully assigning them to his ministerial staff despite the approved staff allocation already being full.

CIABOC alleges that this caused a loss of Rs. 14,325,422.83 to the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and amounted to the offence of corruption.

The second allegation relates to an investigation into the theft of an archaeological artefact known as the “Sandagala.”

Rambukwella is accused of influencing the investigation so that it would not be properly carried out.

The artefact, which has historical and archaeological value, had been located near the entrance steps of the palace of King Sri Veera Parakrama Narendrasinghe, the last king of the Sinhala dynasty of the Kandyan Kingdom, at the Udamaluwa archaeological site in Kundasale.

In connection with this incident, Rambukwella is accused of corruption, aiding and abetting the offence, and conspiracy.

He is due to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

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UPDATE – 05:15 PM:

Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was released on bail today (August 18) after being produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court over allegations that he abused his power to influence an investigation into the theft of the historic “Sandagala” artefact involving his son.

Rambukwella was produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama this afternoon.