The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption today disclosed the reasons behind the arrest of former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, who was taken into custody on corruption charges.
According to the Bribery Commission, Karunanayake, while serving as Minister of Finance between January 12, 2015 and May 22, 2017, together with then National Lottery Board Chairperson Shamila Perera, recruited three individuals, two as coordinating officers and one as a management assistant, on contract basis under the guise of a special project of the Ministry of Finance.
The Commission stated that these individuals provided no service to the National Lottery Board, yet were paid salaries and allowances from its funds. This act, it said, constitutes corruption under Section 70 of the Bribery Act No. 20 of 1994 as amended.
Karunanayake was arrested at around 1.40 pm today by investigation officers of the Commission. He is scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. (Newswire)
