Former Media and Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was arrested yesterday (18) by investigating officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over allegations of corruption, aiding and abetting corruption, and conspiracy, according to a CIABOC notice.
CIABOC said Rambukwella was arrested at around 11.30 a.m. and 1.15 p.m. in connection with two separate allegations.
According to the commission, one allegation relates to the recruitment of six employees to the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation beyond its approved cadre and allegedly conspiring to unlawfully attach them to Rambukwella’s ministerial staff when he was serving as Minister of Mass Media.
CIABOC alleges that the ministerial staff cadre was already full and that the alleged actions caused a loss of Rs. 14.32 million to the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation.
The second allegation relates to alleged interference in an investigation into the theft of a historically significant archaeological artefact known as a Sandakada Pahana (moonstone) from the Kundasale Udamaluwa archaeological site.
The artefact was located near the entrance steps of the palace of King Sri Veera Parakrama Narendrasinha, identified as the last king of the Sinhalese dynasty of the Kandyan Kingdom.
CIABOC alleges that Rambukwella interfered with efforts to properly investigate the theft, amounting to alleged corruption, aiding and abetting, and conspiracy.
Rambukwella was later released on bail in both cases, with the Colombo Chief Magistrate ordering his release on two surety bails of Rs. 500,000 each. (Newswire)