The Colombo Magistrate's Court has released former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella on bail following his arrest by the anti-corruption commission on multiple allegations, though court proceedings in at least one additional case remain ongoing.
Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was ordered released on bail by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama on August 18 after the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) arrested him on corruption charges. The court approved bail following submissions from both the anti-corruption body and Rambukwella's legal representatives. However, sources differ on the exact number of cases resolved, with some reporting bail granted in one case while proceedings continue in another, while additional reporting indicates bail was granted in two separate matters.
According to the anti-corruption commission's allegations presented in court, Rambukwella is accused of abusing his ministerial authority to protect his son, Ramith Rambukwella, from investigation into the theft of a historic artefact known as the Sandagala. CIABOC alleged that in 2022, Rambukwella summoned police officials to question them about the investigation and subsequently contacted a senior police officer who allegedly assured him that his son would face no consequences. The commission further claimed that Rambukwella attempted to have another suspect inquire whether the case could be closed by producing a small number of individuals.
In a separate matter, CIABOC filed an additional complaint alleging that Rambukwella committed corruption while serving as Minister of Mass Media by recruiting six employees beyond approved staffing levels at Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and assigning them to his personal staff. The Chief Magistrate released Rambukwella on bail in this case as well.
Rambukwella's defence argued that he had cooperated extensively with investigators, appearing alongside family members on 81 occasions to provide statements across 13 cases, demonstrating he was not evading authorities. The court ordered him to surrender his passport and imposed surety bail conditions, though the exact amounts varied across the different cases.
