Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has been taken into custody by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. He was ordered to be remanded until May 20 by the Magistrate’s Court.
The arrest relates to allegations that, during his tenure as Minister of Media, Health, and Environment, Rambukwella appointed friends, relatives, and political associates to his personal staff. These individuals were allegedly paid salaries and allowances using ministry funds, despite not performing any official duties—resulting in a financial loss to the state estimated at Rs. 8,005,814.
It is further alleged that public funds were unlawfully used to pay salaries of political supporters and staff based at party offices.
In an official statement, the Bribery Commission confirmed that Rambukwella was arrested in connection with three separate corruption charges.
