Opposition Parliamentarian and former Minister Ravi Karunanayake was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday (31 August) over an alleged corruption case and was subsequently granted bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

Karunanayake arrived at the CIABOC yesterday to provide a statement in connection with an ongoing investigation into allegations that three employees recruited for a special project of the National Lotteries Board had been deployed for political activities, causing a financial loss to the Government.

The bail order was issued after the Court considered submissions made by CIABOC officials and lawyers appearing on behalf of Karunanayake.

Karunanayake had previously been instructed to appear before the Commission to provide a statement in connection with the investigation. However, after he failed to appear, a team of CIABOC officials visited his residence on 29 August. He was not present at the time.

His lawyers subsequently requested an alternative date for him to appear before the Commission, citing his involvement in arrangements related to his daughter’s wedding. Accordingly, his lawyers had informed the Commission that he was scheduled to appear yesterday.