The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption arrested former Senior Presidential Adviser Akila Viraj Kariyawasam on Wednesday over allegations of misusing government employees for personal gain.
Former minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam was taken into custody by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on August 5th after appearing at the commission's office to provide a statement regarding an ongoing investigation. The arrest came after approximately 1:45 pm local time.
According to CIABOC, Kariyawasam faced allegations related to his tenure as Senior Presidential Adviser for Administrative Reforms. The commission stated that four government employees were recruited under claims that they would serve as official staff members. However, the commission alleged that these individuals were instead deployed for personal work—with some assigned to operate at Kariyawasam's private fuel station and others engaged in duties unrelated to their official positions.
The financial implications of these arrangements are significant. Despite the employees not being assigned to official duties, government funds totaling Rs. 2,768,836.14 were paid toward their salaries and allowances, according to CIABOC's account. The commission characterized this as causing direct financial loss to the state. One source noted a discrepancy regarding the number of employees assigned to the fuel station, with one account specifying three employees in this role, while another indicated one employee was deployed there.
Following his arrest, Kariyawasam was produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court, where he was remanded in custody until August 18, 2026. The case remains under investigation.
