• 8,409 complaints filed, but over 300 cases remain pending across courts
• Police officers top the list; senior Police officers, former ministers among those arrested
• Expanded mandate targets unexplained wealth, money laundering
• Digitisation pitched as cure, but watchdogs warn of new corruption risks 

With the release of the Progress Report of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) for the period of 1 January to 31 December 2025, the data points to significant procedural lapses within key State institutions, coinciding with new investigations into the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) and the Department for Registration of Persons.

In light of these findings, CIABOC Chairman Justice Neil Iddawela has outlined a strategic shift under the Anti-Corruption Act No.9 of 2023, moving the commission from a reactive complaint-based body to a proactive authority. 

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Digital Economy has launched an immediate internal inquiry into allegations of corruption at the Suhurupaya complex in Battaramulla.

The operational reality

According to the Progress Report, the CIABOC received a total of 8,409 complaints in 2025. However, the data highlights the structural challenges in processing these allegations. A significant portion, amounting to 3,660 complaints, were directed not to be investigated due to insufficient facts or falling outside the act’s jurisdiction.

The commission conducted 130 raids during the year, revealing a nearly equal split in operational success; while 68 raids were deemed effective, 57 were classified as ineffective, and six were postponed. This operational activity resulted in the arrest of 84 suspects in total during raids.

Despite the volume of complaints, finalised legal outcomes remain a challenge. The CIABOC instituted 115 new cases in 2025. 

A closer examination of the data reveals the specific breakdown of these charges: 75 cases were filed for bribery, 21 for corruption, 14 for the accumulation of unexplained wealth, and, notably, five cases were filed specifically for money laundering. This distinction is vital, as it indicates the commission is utilising its expanded mandate to pursue complex financial crimes beyond simple graft.

By year-end, the commission had secured 42 convictions. However, a significant backlog remains, with 288 cases pending in the high courts and 305 total cases pending across all courts as of 31 December 2025.

The implementation gap

Meanwhile, Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has long argued that the mere enactment of laws is insufficient without rigorous enforcement. In its recent assessments of the country’s anti-corruption framework, TISL noted that despite the passage of the Anti-Corruption Act, persistent institutional weaknesses and limited enforcement capacity continued to pose obstacles to genuine reform.

TISL has specifically highlighted that new laws often fail due to a lack of political will. In its analysis of the implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), the organisation highlighted that key gaps remained in tracking illicit funds. 

It has criticised the lack of a centralised beneficial ownership registry, a loophole that weakens the country’s ability to trace money laundering and verify the asset declarations of public officials. Without such transparency, the ‘unexplained wealth’ cases cited by the CIABOC may only scratch the surface of illicit enrichment.

Furthermore, recent legal activism provides a critical counter-narrative to the ‘digitisation’ solution proposed by State agencies like the DMT. TISL has previously challenged procurement processes for major digital infrastructure projects, arguing that moving services to private digital platforms can itself be a source of procedural violations and abuse of public trust if transparency guidelines are ignored. 

This precedent suggests that without rigorous oversight, the proposed transition to 100% cashless systems could face scrutiny regarding its tender process and data security.

Reflecting international concern, Sri Lanka’s score on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) has remained stagnant, ranking the country poorly on the global stage. Watchdogs attribute this standing to a failure to deliver on anti-corruption mandates, noting that despite rhetorical commitments, the culture of impunity for corruption remains largely intact.

Sector-wide breakdown

The CIABOC report categorises arrests by institution, revealing that corruption is not isolated to a single sector but is entrenched in the very bodies tasked with law enforcement and revenue collection. 

The Sri Lanka Police recorded the highest number of personnel taken into custody, with 30 officers arrested in raids. This figure includes senior figures such as two Chief Inspectors and one Inspector, alongside four Sub-Inspectors and 13 Police Sergeants. The fact that multiple layers of leadership are alleged to be involved in corruption is suggestive of an erosion in discipline that extends up the chain of command.

Beyond law enforcement, the report highlights a trend of corruption in Local Government, specifically within the pradeshiya sabhas. Arrests included the Chairpersons of the Kuchchaveli, Walallawita, Dompe, and Kundasale Pradeshiya Sabhas. 

The judicial and revenue sectors were also implicated, with arrest logs including a Quazi Judge, a court clerk, and a fiscal officer from the Galle High Court. In the revenue sector, the arrest of a Senior Deputy Commissioner of the Inland Revenue Department sends a strong signal regarding the vulnerability of the State’s tax collection mechanisms.

High-profile arrests

The 2025 arrest logs list several Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) and high-ranking officials, indicating that investigations are targeting senior levels of administration. The list includes former Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella, former Minister S.M. Chandrasena, former Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga, former State Minister Anupa Pasqual, and former MP Shasheendra Rajapaksa.

State corporation heads were also implicated, including former Chairman of SriLankan Airlines Nishantha Wickramasinghe and former Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Dhammika Ranatunga.

Notably, the report details cases involving the family members of prominent figures, including the wife, daughter, and son-in-law of former Minister Rambukwella, highlighting how nepotistic networks are often leveraged to conceal or distribute illicit gains.

DMT investigation

A focal point of recent scrutiny has been the DMT, following a raid in May 2025 at the Werahera branch where investigators discovered Rs. 4.1 million in cash, alleged to be a collection destined for distribution among staff. 

The 2025 Progress Report confirms that the investigation led to the arrest of senior officials within the department. Specifically, the report lists the arrest of former Commissioner General of the DMT Nishantha Anurudda Weerasinghe.

Other arrested officials included Deputy Commissioner – Car Transfers Wijesundara Lekamlage Dilantha Nuwan Kumara and Assistant Director – ICT Brahamana Wasala Priyantha Bandara Eriyagalla. 

When asked about the status of the investigation into the distribution network and the alleged involvement of 60 officials, CIABOC Chairman Iddawela indicated that the Anti-Corruption Act permitted the commission to deny providing information whilst investigations were still ongoing. “The investigation is currently ongoing,” he noted. 

Digitisation as a preventive measure 

Responding to inquiries regarding these findings, Commissioner General of Motor Traffic Kamal Amarasinghe clarified the timeline of the allegations to separate his current administration from the scandal.

“This incident happened last May and there is a court case regarding that matter,” Amarasinghe told The Sunday Morning, distancing the current administration from the events of the previous year.

Regarding the disciplinary measures taken against the staff involved, Amarasinghe rejected the notion of a division-wide suspension, arguing that such a move would paralyse the department’s ability to serve the public.

“We have already suspended their duties,” he said. When pressed on whether the entire unit had been held accountable, he responded: “How can we suspend the entire division? They nominated specific officers and we have already taken action against those individuals.” 

Amarasinghe acknowledged the systemic vulnerabilities in cash handling and outlined the department’s strategy to prevent recurrence. “While the institution itself does not take money, unfortunately, some individuals do,” he noted, before proposing the department’s solution. “There is only one solution. We must improve our IT system.” 

He further detailed the administrative steps currently underway to implement this digital transition. “We have already submitted two proposals to the Ministry of Digital Economy. I believe we will receive its recommendations next week. Following that, we intend to prepare a special Cabinet paper,” Amarasinghe explained.

He confirmed that the ultimate objective was a complete shift to cashless transactions, stating: “All payments must be made digitally.”

Investigation at Suhurupaya

Separately, allegations regarding attendance fraud and overtime (OT) irregularities at the Department for Registration of Persons (Suhurupaya) have surfaced following media reports in January.

While the CIABOC Chairman noted that the commission had yet to receive a formal complaint, he stated that investigators “might request an ex mero motu investigation in this regard,” signalling the commission’s willingness to act proactively on media exposés.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Digital Economy has launched its own internal inquiry.

Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Ministry of Digital Economy Acting Secretary Waruna Sri Dhanapala confirmed that he had personally inspected the premises immediately following the allegations. “I visited the premises immediately after seeing the reports and requested an explanation from the Commissioner General,” Dhanapala said.

He revealed that the inquiry was broader than a simple misconduct hearing. “The Commissioner General responded promptly, having appointed an internal committee to review the matter,” Dhanapala explained. 

He noted that the committee was tasked with a dual mandate. “They are examining two key areas: firstly, whether actual malpractice occurred, and secondly, the contents of the media reports and the nature of the reporting.” 

He emphasised that the investigation must be precise, as the building housed multiple entities. “It is not just the Department for Registration of Persons; there are several other institutions operating under the same roof,” he clarified, suggesting that the ‘ghost worker’ culture might not be limited to a single department.

“A detailed investigation is currently underway to determine if there has been malpractice involving the misuse of fingerprint machines for undue gain. That is all I can confirm at this moment,” he added.

Dhanapala attributed the reliance on overtime to operational constraints but admitted supervision was lacking. “The issue stems from a shortage of staff, which compels us to utilise personnel overnight on overtime duties. We are forced to deploy them for night shifts to manage the workload,” he said, explaining the logistical reasons for staff presence after hours. “That is the operational reality, but I acknowledge that we require a higher level of supervision.” 

When asked about the parallels to the DMT’s digitisation solution, Dhanapala offered a pragmatic view, acknowledging that technology was not infallible. “There are contingencies for when power or other resources are unavailable. But fundamentally, we must transform the system gradually.”

He issued a stern warning regarding the consequences of such fraud. “There is a clear warning for everyone: if anyone is found guilty, their jobs will be at risk, regardless of their rank. This warning has been conveyed both verbally and through formal instructions.” 

Looking to the future, Dhanapala emphasised that the implementation of the digital ID would be the long-term solution to such integrity issues. “Once the digital ID is available, it will ensure a high level of integrity and ease for both citizens and Government entities. That is the standard we aim to encourage,” he said.

A proactive strategic shift

CIABOC Chairman Iddawela emphasised that the enactment of the Anti-Corruption Act had empowered the CIABOC to adopt a broader operational framework.

“It is a valid and widely shared concern. State-sector corruption in Sri Lanka has historically been a significant barrier to development, often described as a ‘menace’ because it drains public resources and erodes trust in vital institutions,” he said.

Under the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (2025–2029), the CIABOC Chairman explained that the commission was moving away from purely punitive measures towards a four-pillar strategy consisting of prevention, institutional strengthening, education, and enforcement.

“With the enactment of the Anti-Corruption Act, the commission has entered a new era. The commission is no longer just a ‘reactive’ body that waits for complaints; it has been empowered as a ‘proactive’ authority with an expanded mandate,” he said.

He highlighted new legal mechanisms now in force, including the requirement for electronic asset declarations to track unexplained wealth and strict conflict-of-interest rules.