Keheliya, Family Face Court Over Rs. 8M Misuse

COLOMBO (News 1st) — The Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama has ordered that the case filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against Keheliya Rambukwella, his wife, three daughters, and son-in-law be recalled on September 9.

The case is being investigated by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

The Magistrate also instructed CIABOC to clarify whether the case should continue before the Magistrate’s Court, given that an indictment has already been filed in the Colombo High Court regarding the same incident.

CIABOC officials appearing in court requested a new date, stating that the investigating officer was not present in court today.

Taking these submissions into account, the Chief Magistrate fixed the next hearing for September 9.

The case relates to allegations that, during his tenure as Minister of Mass Media, Health, and Environment between 2021 and 2023, Keheliya Rambukwella appointed several close associates to his personal staff.

It is alleged that the salaries and overtime payments made to these individuals by the ministry were used to fund personal and political activities, causing a loss of over Rs. 8 million to the state.