Keheliya’s Family Banned from Travel Amid Asset Probe

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, along with his wife, three daughters, and son-in-law, was formally served indictments before the Colombo High Court over allegations of illegally acquiring assets during his tenure in public office.

The indictments were presented before High Court Judge Lanka Jayaratne, marking a significant development in the case filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023.

Following the indictment, each accused was released on cash bail of Rs. 50,000 and two personal bail bonds of Rs. 1 million. 

The court also imposed a foreign travel ban, ordering the surrender of passports and the recording of fingerprints for official documentation.

The charges follow an investigation by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, which filed 43 charges against Rambukwella and his family on June 26.

The alleged offenses occurred between August 13, 2020, and June 24, 2024, during his time at the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Mass Media.

The accused include:

Keheliya Bandara Disanayake Rambukwella (Former Minister)
Kusum Priyadarshani Aepa Weihenna (Wife)
Chamithri Jayanika Rambukwella (Daughter)
Chandula Ramali Rambukwella (Daughter)
Amali Nayanika Rambukwella (Daughter)
Isuru Pulasthi Bandara Polgasdeniya (Son-in-law)

The indictments allege that the family unlawfully accumulated wealth in violation of Sri Lanka’s penal code and anti-corruption laws.