Fifteen politicians arrested!

2026-02-28 - 03:37

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption has revealed in its 2025 progress report that 214 individuals, including politicians and public officials, were arrested during raids and complaint-based investigations carried out in 2025. Among them are 15 politicians, including former ministers Keheliya Rambukwella, S. M. Chandrasena, Prasanna Ranatunga and Chamara Sampath Dassanayake. Those arrested among public officials also include a former Commissioner General, a serving Deputy Commissioner, and ten officials of the Department of Motor Traffic. The largest number of arrested public servants were officers of the Police Department, totalling 33. Fourteen officials serving under the Ministry of Justice are also among the public servants arrested by the Commission. Between 1 January and 31 December 2025, the Commission received 8,080 complaints, of which 569 were ordered for investigation. A total of 3,660 complaints were decided not to be investigated due to insufficient facts or because they did not fall within the scope of the Act. Another 1,167 complaints were referred to other relevant institutions, while 731 complaints remained pending for further action at the end of the year. Following investigations conducted by the Commission, legal action has been instituted against 153 individuals. The report further states that, from cases filed under the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, 36 persons were convicted and punished in 2025.