Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was released on bail today (18) after being produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court over allegations that he abused his power to protect his son from allegations relating to the theft of the historic ‘Sandagala’ artefact.
Rambukwella, who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), was produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama this afternoon.
Presenting facts before court, CIABOC officials alleged that Rambukwella’s son, Ramith Rambukwella, along with several associates of the former minister, had stolen the historic Sandagala.
The Commission informed court that investigations had subsequently been conducted by the Kandy Division Criminal Investigation Unit and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
According to CIABOC, in 2022 Rambukwella had summoned the then Kandy Senior Superintendent of Police, the officer-in-charge of the Kandy Criminal Investigation Unit and the officer-in-charge of the Pallekele Police Station to his official residence and questioned them about the investigation.
The officers had informed him that the CID was conducting an investigation into the incident, the Commission told court.
CIABOC further alleged that Rambukwella subsequently contacted then CID Deputy Inspector General Prasad Ranasinghe by telephone and inquired about the status of the investigation.
According to the Commission, the former DIG had told Rambukwella that his son would not face any consequences.
CIABOC also informed court that no statement had been recorded from Ramith Rambukwella in connection with the incident. The Commission further alleged that although information had been received that the Sandagala was at Rambukwella’s residence in Kandy, permission had not been granted for police to search the premises.
The Commission further alleged that Rambukwella had subsequently asked another suspect in the case, Prasad Sanjeewa, whether the case could be brought to an end by producing two or three individuals, and had offered to bear the expenses involved.
CIABOC told court that suspects were subsequently produced before court and the case was concluded after fines of Rs. 1,500 were imposed on each person, according to the facts presented by the Commission.
The prosecution argued that Rambukwella had abused his official position in an attempt to protect his son from the allegations and requested that he be remanded.
Defence Seeks Bail
Appearing for Rambukwella, Attorney-at-Law Kanchana Ratwatte told court that the former Minister was already facing 13 cases and had, together with members of his family, appeared before CIABOC on 81 occasions to provide statements.
The lawyer argued that this demonstrated that his client was not a person attempting to evade the court or the Bribery Commission and requested that he be released on bail.
After considering the submissions, the Chief Magistrate ruled that sufficient grounds had not been presented to warrant remanding the suspect.
Rambukwella was accordingly released on two surety bails of Rs. 1 million each. The court also ordered him to surrender his passport.
Separate Case Over Recruitment to Rupavahini.
Meanwhile, CIABOC also filed another complaint against Rambukwella, alleging that he committed an offence of corruption while serving as Minister of Mass Media by recruiting six employees beyond the approved cadre of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and assigning them to his personal staff.
The Chief Magistrate also released Rambukwella on bail in that case, on two surety bail of Rs. 5 million each.
