Ex-Health Ministry Lawyer Remanded Over Alleged Bribery Involving Lease Extensions

COLOMBO (News 1st); A former Chief Legal Officer of the Ministry of Health, Ahmad Riyasa Ahmad, has been arrested by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

The arrest was made following a complaint received by the commission.

According to CIABOC, the suspect was arrested over allegations that, while serving as a legal officer, she accepted money in connection with the preparation of three lease agreements to extend the lease period of the Day House building, which had been leased to the Ministry of Health.

The commission stated that the suspect had demanded Rs. 4,134,887 claiming it as legal fees for preparing the agreements. Of this amount, she had allegedly received Rs. 2 million, while continuing to request payment of the remaining balance.

Investigations further revealed that the suspect had obtained Rs. 500,000 from the remaining sum by encashing a cheque issued from a state bank account maintained in the name of the relevant company. The arrest was made on charges of soliciting and accepting a bribe, the commission said.

Following her production before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, the suspect has been remanded until May 5.