The Colombo High Court has rejected a request to lift the freeze on a bank account belonging to former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, held under the parliamentary branch, amid an ongoing bribery and corruption investigation.
The bank account in question was frozen by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) as part of an ongoing probe into financial irregularities. Additionally, the Colombo High Court recently extended the freeze on 16 fixed deposit accounts and three insurance policies linked to the former minister’s family for another three months to facilitate further investigations.
During the hearing, Rambukwella’s legal counsel informed the court that the frozen bank account contained his retirement pension as well as compensation exceeding LKR 95.9 million, which he had received for damages caused to his residence during the 2022 Aragalaya protests. The lawyer argued that the freeze was unjustified, as these funds were legitimate earnings and essential for fulfilling his financial obligations, including rebuilding his fire-damaged residence.
However, after considering the submissions, Colombo High Court Judge Aditya Patabendi rejected the request, emphasizing that the freeze was crucial to maintain the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
The Bribery Commission continues to conduct a comprehensive financial probe into Rambukwella’s assets, expenses, and transactions during his tenure as Health Minister. Authorities are examining multiple financial accounts linked to him and his family, suspecting involvement in questionable financial activities.
Following a special request by the CIABOC, the Colombo High Court extended the freeze on 16 fixed deposits and three insurance policies for an additional three months. These financial assets, believed to belong to Rambukwella’s family members, are being scrutinized for potential links to illicit transactions.
The primary objective of the investigation is to gather evidence regarding alleged financial misconduct during Rambukwella’s tenure as Health Minister. The Bribery Commission has collected substantial financial records and documents, which require further analysis.
Following the 2022 protests, Rambukwella’s residence sustained significant fire damage, for which he received LKR 95.9 million in compensation. This amount was deposited into his parliamentary branch bank account, which remains frozen.
His legal counsel contended that these funds were essential for rebuilding his home and that freezing them was unnecessary since they were unrelated to the ongoing corruption probe. However, the court dismissed this argument, ruling that all financial assets under investigation must remain frozen until the inquiry is concluded.
The Colombo High Court’s ruling reinforces the serious nature of the bribery investigation and ensures that all related financial transactions are thoroughly examined. The Bribery Commission is expected to take further legal action based on the findings of the probe.
Authorities indicate that the investigation could take several more months, with potential extensions on asset freezes if necessary. Once the probe is complete, a decision on legal action against the former minister will depend on the collected evidence.
This ruling marks a significant milestone in the ongoing investigation, ensuring that corruption allegations are thoroughly investigated while preventing the potential misuse of financial assets under scrutiny.