Keheliya Rambukwella and son granted bail

Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who was arrested and remanded for allegedly causing a financial loss of over Rs. 8 million to the government, during his tenure as the Minister of Mass Media, Health and Environment, has been ordered to be released on bail, Ada Derana reporter said.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court also ordered the release of Keheliya Rambukwella’s son, Ramith Rambukwella and one of his former coordinating secretary Nishantha Bandara Basnayake, who are also named in the case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

The order was issued by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali after considering the submissions made by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and the defense counsel.

Accordingly, each suspect has been released on a Rs. 50,000 cash bail and two surety bails amounting to Rs. 1 million each.

According to the order, two of the surety bail co-signers are required to be close relatives of the suspects.

The Magistrate has also imposed an overseas travel ban on former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and his son, Ramith Rambukwella.

During today’s proceedings, the Bribery Commission, making a request stated that it is necessary to obtain a specimen signature of Ramith Rambukwella for further investigations and requested court to issue an order requiring him to appear before CIABOC and provide those samples.

After considering the request, the Chief Magistrate ordered Ramith Rambukwella to appear before the Bribery Commission tomorrow and provide the required specimen signatures.

The case, filed by the Bribery Commission alleges that Keheliya Rambukwella caused a financial loss of over Rs. 8 million to the government.

The charges relate to the alleged illegal appointment of fifteen individuals to his ministerial staff, during his tenure as a minister, and the subsequent collection of their salaries, allowances, and overtime payments.

Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was arrested on May 7 while Ramith Rambukwella was taken into custody on May 21 after appearing before CIABOC to record a statement.

The case will be taken up for hearing once again on October 10.