The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has ruled that former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and several senior officials violated the fundamental rights of the public by purchasing medical supplies from an unregistered company under the Indian loan scheme in 2022, bypassing proper procurement procedures.

Delivering its judgment, a three‑judge bench headed by Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena ordered Rambukwella to personally pay Rs. 75 million to the government. 

The then Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Chandragupta and former Chairman of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), Professor S.D. Jayaratne, were each directed to pay Rs. 50 million.

In addition, NMRA’s Chief Executive Officer Dr. Wijith Gunasekara and former Director of the Medical Supplies Division Dr. Thusitha Sudarshana were also ordered to pay Rs. 50 million each as compensation.

The ruling came after the Supreme Court examined a fundamental rights petition filed by Transparency International Sri Lanka and another party. (Newswire)

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The Colombo High Court has accepted indictments against former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, his son Ramith Rambukwella, his daughter Amali Rambukwella, and domestic aide Nipuni Krishnajina in connection with two cases filed by the Bribery Commission.

The indictments were presented before High Court Judge Mohamed Mihal, following which all four accused were released on bail. 

The court scheduled pre-trial conferences for the two cases on January 12 and 14, 2026.

Separately, additional indictments were filed against Keheliya Rambukwella and Ramith Rambukwella in a third case, for which they were also granted bail. 

The pre-trial conference for this case has been set for January 20, 2026.

The cases relate to allegations of unlawfully acquiring assets and property during Keheliya Rambukwella’s tenure as a government minister. (Newswire)

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The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has ordered the dismissal of three petitions filed seeking a writ order to nullify a directive issued by the Colombo High Court to freeze assets belonging to family members of former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. 

The asset freeze was linked to an investigation conducted by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

Members of Keheliya Rambukwella’s family had submitted these petitions.

After reviewing the preliminary facts of the petitions, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, presided over by Justice Janak de Silva, issued the order for dismissal. (Newswire)

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The Colombo High Court has ordered that the case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption against former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, his wife, three daughters, and son-in-law, regarding the alleged unlawful acquisition of assets and property valued at approximately Rs. 97 million, be summoned for a further pre-trial conference on October 15.

Keheliya Rambukwella and the other defendants appeared in court today (01 Oct), when the case was called before Colombo High Court Judge Mohamed Mihal.

President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa, appearing on behalf of Rambukwella, informed the court that 12 documents requested by the defence had not yet been provided by the prosecution.

He pointed out that although the Commission had suddenly filed indictments against the defendants, the relevant documents had not been handed over to the defence, which he described as a flawed precedent.

He further stated that his client required those 12 documents to properly face trial and that they had still not been received.

Appearing on behalf of the Bribery Commission, Assistant Director General Subhashini Siriwardena told the court that efforts were underway to locate and promptly provide the requested documents.

She also noted that some of the requested documents were related to ongoing investigations.

President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa emphasized that the documents were crucial for the defence in preparing for trial.

Accordingly, the judge instructed the Assistant Director General of the Bribery Commission to ensure the documents are provided promptly and scheduled the next pre-trial conference for October 15.

The case was filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, alleging that during the period from August 13, 2020, to June 24, 2024, while serving in the Ministries of Mass Media, Health, and Environment, Keheliya Rambukwella unlawfully acquired assets exceeding Rs. 97 million.

The defendants named in the case include his wife Kusum Priyadarshani Epa, daughters Chamithri Rambukwella, Chandula Rambukwella, Amali Rambukwella, and son-in-law Isuru Pulasthi Bandara Polgasdeniya. (Newswire)

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Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanka S. Bodaragama today (09) ordered the termination of proceedings in the money laundering case against former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and his family members, following the filing of indictments in the Colombo High Court.

Accordingly, the Chief Magistrate instructed the defendants to appear before the High Court on the designated dates.

The order was given during today’s hearing, after officials from the Bribery Commission informed the court that indictments have been filed in the High Court against the defendants in connection with the investigation.

In response to a query raised by the Magistrate, Bribery Commission officials stated that since indictments have already been filed in the High Court, the proceedings at the Magistrate’s Court can be concluded.

Based on this, the Chief Magistrate ruled to end the current proceedings and directed the defendants to appear before the High Court on the appropriate dates.

Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, his wife, three daughters, and son-in-law were present in court for today’s hearing.

The Bribery Commission alleges that during his tenure as a minister, Keheliya Rambukwella committed offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by unlawfully acquiring bank accounts, life insurance policies, and vehicles valued at over Rs. 97 million.

Following their presentation to the court by the Bribery Commission, Keheliya Rambukwella, his wife, daughters, and son-in-law were released on bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. (Newswire)

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Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, along with his wife, three daughters, and son-in-law, has been indicted before the Colombo High Court on charges of illegally amassing assets valued at over Rs. 97 million.

The Colombo High Court also imposed overseas travel bans on all six accused. The case is scheduled to be taken up again in the coming weeks. (Newswire)

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The Colombo Permanent Trial-at-Bar has decided to postpone the serving of indictments against former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and other defendants regarding the importation of substandard human Immunoglobulin vaccines.

Although the charge sheets related to the case have been filed, the annexes have not yet been submitted. Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama, appearing on behalf of the complainant, informed the court of this delay.

She requested the case be scheduled for a later date, noting that the Government Printer had stated it would take approximately 21 days to provide the annexes.

The cost to print one set of annexes amounts to Rs. 866,565, bringing the total cost to over Rs. 10 million for all 12 accused.

Accordingly, the court set September 16 as the next hearing date for the case. (Newswire)

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The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption today filed indictments against former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and five members of his family.

The indictments were filed at the Colombo High Court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The Bribery Commission has filed 43 charges against Rambukwella, his wife, three daughters, and a son-in-law. 

The accused were recently remanded and later granted bail over investigations into their assets by the Bribery Commission. (Newswire)

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The Attorney General has served indictments on former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and 11 others over the alleged importation of substandard human Immunoglobulin injections. 

The indictments were served before the Colombo High Court Special Trial-at-Bar today. 

The Former Health Minister was arrested in early February 2024 and remanded over the alleged import of substandard human Immunoglobulin injections.

He was granted bail after seven months by the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court.

Keheliya Rambukwella is charged with alleged complicity in the procurement of the substandard vaccines during his tenure as the Minister of Health. 

CID investigations have revealed that financial fraud of Rs. 130 million had occurred through the importation of the said substandard medicine. (Newswire)

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Two daughters and the son-in-law of former minister Keheliya Rambukwella, arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, were granted bail today by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayathunga.

Chamithri Rambukwella, Amali  Rambukwella, and Isuru Pulasthi were each released on Rs. 50,000 cash bail and three sureties of Rs. 5 million. The court also imposed a travel ban on all three.

The suspects were produced in court by the Bribery Commission in an investigation into their assets.

Meanwhile, former minister Keheliya Rambukwella, his wife and one daughter, who were remanded yesterday for failing to fulfil bail conditions over the same case, have been released. 

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today ordered the release of the three individuals after they fulfilled their bail conditions. (Newswire)

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The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has arrested the other two daughters and the son-in-law of former minister Keheliya Rambukwella. 

The Bribery Commission today recorded statements from the three individuals with regard to the ongoing investigations into their assets, and later arrested them over money laundering charges. 

Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, his wife, and one daughter, who were arrested and released on bail earlier yesterday, were remanded after failing to fulfil bail conditions. 

Colombo Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali had ordered them to be released on Rs. 50,000 cash bail each and 03 sureties of Rs. 05 million each, but due to their inability to fulfil the bail conditions, they were placed under remand.

However, the former minister and his family have reportedly managed to fulfil the bail conditions today. It is reported that the bail had been fulfilled by a close relative of the former minister and his family. 

As the former minister, his wife, and daughter had been transferred to the prison yesterday, they are due to be produced in court today regarding their bail. (Newswire)

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Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, his wife, and daughter, who were arrested and released on bail earlier today, have been remanded for failing to fulfil bail conditions. 

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court granted bail to the three individuals who had been arrested by the Bribery Commission earlier today.

Rambukwella, his wife, and daughter had appeared before the Bribery Commission to provide statements with regard to investigations into their assets. 

Thereafter, they were arrested and produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, after which they were ordered to be released on bail.

Colombo Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali had ordered them to be released on Rs. 50,000 cash bail and 09 sureties of Rs. 05 million.

However, due to their inability to fulfil the bail conditions, Keheliya Rambukwella, his wife, and daughter have been placed under remand. (Newswire)

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Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, his wife, and daughter, who were arrested earlier today, have been released on bail.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court granted bail to the three individuals who had been arrested by the Bribery Commission today.

Rambukwella, his wife, and daughter had appeared before the Bribery Commission to provide statements with regard to investigations into their assets. (Newswire)

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Former Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella arrived before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery Commission (CIABOC) today.

It is reported that the former minister, who is currently on bail, has arrived to record a statement at the Bribery Commission. (Newswire)

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The Colombo Magistrate Court today ordered to release on bail, the domestic aide of former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who was arrested by the Bribery Commission recently. 

The woman was arrested last week in connection with investigations into allegations that Rambukwella had appointed 15 individuals to his personal staff nominally and had received over Rs. 8 million in salaries and allowances.

When the case was taken up for hearing today, the Bribery Commission had informed that it was conducting further investigations into a bank account used by the woman, a resident of Embilipitiya.

Bribery Commission officials informed the court that although the suspect said that the bank account was opened for a sand mining business, an examination of the money transferred has revealed that no such business had been conducted. As such, they said further investigations are being conducted in this regard.

The lawyer representing the suspect informed the court that the suspect had used money from the bank account of the third suspect, Nishantha Basnayake, and that the money was not government money.

Taking into consideration the facts, the magistrate ordered the woman to be released on two sureties of Rs. one million each. 

The court, which banned her from travelling overseas, also issued an order requiring her to surrender her passport to the court.

The magistrate then ordered the case to be called again on 10 October 2025. 

Meanwhile, a family member of the woman implicated in the case told Newswire that the Bribery Commission has wrongfully identified the woman as a domestic aide of Keheliya Rambukwella. 

The family member said that the woman in question was a graduate of the University of Colombo and is a software engineer.

He further revealed that the woman had worked as an intern at the Health Ministry during the tenure of Keheliya Rambukwella. (Newswire)

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A woman, who had worked as a domestic worker at former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella’s house, has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). 

The Bribery Commission says the woman was arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation into Rambukwella for allegedly misusing government salaries and overtime allowances by making nominal appointments to the Health Ministry.

The woman arrested is a resident of the Embilipitiya area. The Bribery Commission further stated that the suspect is scheduled to be produced before the court. (Newswire)

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Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe reported to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to record a statement today. 

It is reported that the former President has arrived at the CID to record a statement regarding a complaint made by former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella regarding the importation of medicines.

Keheliya Rambukwella had previously submitted a complaint to the CID regarding an incident involving the importation of drugs into the country.

Members of Parliament from the previous government have also recorded statements regarding the investigation into the complaint. (Newswire)

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The Former Health Minister was arrested in early February 2024 and remanded over the alleged import of substandard human Immunoglobulin injections.

He was granted bail after seven months by the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court.

He is charged with alleged complicity in the procurement of substandard human intravenous immunoglobulin. (Newswire)

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Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who was arrested by the Bribery Commission in connection with 03 complaints related to corruption, has been further remanded until 03 June 2025.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali issued the order after considering the arguments presented by the Bribery Commission and the defence lawyers.

The court also granted permission to name Ramith Rambukwella, the son of former minister Keheliya Rambukwella, as a suspect in the case. (Newswire)

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The Attorney General has requested a trial-at-bar with a three-judge bench to hear the case against former Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella in connection with the importation of substandard Immune Globulin vaccines.

The Attorney General had made the request from the Chief Justice via a written letter. 

Keheliya Rambukwella was in remand for 07 months over the matter, after which he was granted bail in September 2024. 

He, along with several Health Ministry officials, was arrested and remanded after the CID launched an investigation into allegations that a pharmaceutical company had imported 22,500 vials of substandard Immune Globulin vaccines by creating forged documents with the assistance of two senior state officials. 

Investigations revealed that financial fraud of Rs. 130 million had occurred via the imports of the said substandard medicine, under the tenure of Keheliya Rambukwella as Health Minister.

Keheliya Rambukwella had recently (09 April) reported to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to record a statement regarding the importation of substandard medicines. (Newswire)

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