Retired Health Ministry official & businessman arrested over bribery charges

2026-03-05 - 04:58

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has arrested a retired Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Health for allegedly accepting a bribe of over Rs. 20 million. It is reported that the arrest took place at the Ministry of Health cafeteria. Reports indicate that in 2018, after a private institution building was rented for ministry use, the suspect allegedly demanded a bribe to ensure the timely issuance of ministry rent payments via cheques. After being produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, he has been remanded until March 17. Separately, a businessman from Colombo 12 was also arrested by CIABOC on charges of accepting a Rs. 05 million bribe. He allegedly took the bribe to assist in securing bail for a suspect detained by the Illegal Assets Investigation Division (IAID) and to prevent the arrest of the suspect’s family members. This individual has been remanded until March 13, after being produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.