Keheliya Rambukwella arrested over corruption and artifact theft

Former Sri Lankan Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) in connection with two separate legal matters.

The first case involves the alleged theft of a Sandakada Pahana (moonstone), a sacred archaeological artefact from the palace of the last king of the Kandyan Kingdom. CIABOC alleges that Rambukwella used his official position to interfere with the investigation to protect his son, who was implicated in the theft. Investigators claim he summoned police officers to his residence and contacted high-ranking officials to influence the case.

The second case concerns the alleged unlawful recruitment of six employees to the state-owned Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) while Rambukwella served as Mass Media Minister. It is alleged these individuals were hired beyond the approved cadre and subsequently deployed to his personal ministerial staff, causing a financial loss of approximately Rs. 14.32 million to the corporation.

Rambukwella was produced before the Colombo Fort Chief Magistrate and granted bail in both cases on two surety bails of Rs. 500,000 each.