The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) filed an indictment before the Colombo High Court against former Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena over an alleged bribery offence.

According to the charges filed by the Commission, Abeywardena is accused of accepting a bribe of Rs. 1 million from a businessman in 2013 while serving as the Minister of Investment Promotion.

The alleged payment had been made in exchange for facilitating a matter related to the Board of Investment (BOI), CIABOC said.

The Commission has filed two charges against the former Minister under provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act. The case is scheduled to proceed before the Colombo High Court.