Member of Parliament and former Minister Ravi Karunanayake has been taken into custody by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption after appearing for questioning regarding allegations of misuse of National Lottery Board employees.
Ravi Karunanayake, a Member of Parliament and former minister, was arrested on August 31st after appearing before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) to provide a statement. The arrest followed several hours of questioning by commission officials.
The investigation centres on allegations concerning the recruitment and deployment of National Lottery Board employees. According to NewsFirst, five individuals were recruited to the Board on a contract basis through procedures that fell outside approved recruitment protocols and were subsequently assigned to Karunanayake's personal staff. NewsWire reports that three employees from a special National Lottery Board project were diverted to his political activities, causing financial loss to the Government. The sources differ on the specific number of individuals involved in the case.
Karunanayake had been summoned to appear before the Bribery Commission on multiple occasions prior to his arrest. According to NewsFirst, he had been called four separate times but failed to report each time, while NewsWire states he was notified on several occasions. Commission officers visited his residence on Rajamalwatta Road in Battaramulla two days before his appearance, though he was reportedly not present during that visit.
The investigation has extended to other individuals connected to the matter. Former National Lotteries Board Chairperson Shyamila Perera was arrested in connection with the same inquiry and subsequently released on bail on June 30. The case remains under active investigation by the Bribery Commission.