Assets Beyond Income: Anusha Pelpita Denied Bail

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Ministry Secretary Anusha Pelpita, who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, was remanded until February 6 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.

The suspect was arrested this morning and produced before court for failing to satisfactorily explain the accumulation of assets amounting to approximately Rs. 46 million.

Presenting the former Ministry Secretary before court, an investigating officer of the Bribery Commission informed the Magistrate that investigations were initiated based on a complaint received in March 2015.

The officer stated that investigations were carried out over several years, during which statements, affidavits, and documentary evidence were obtained from the suspect at various stages up to 2026.

According to findings presented to court, investigations revealed that between March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2014, the suspect had accumulated assets worth nearly Rs. 46 million, far exceeding his lawful income during the relevant period.

The Bribery Commission officer further told court that when statements were recorded, the suspect claimed that Rs. 11 million had been given to him by his wife’s sister and brother.

During the investigation, a statement was recorded from the suspect’s sister-in-law, who stated that Rs. 3 million of the Rs. 11 million had been provided to the suspect after she sold a plot of land.

Although the suspect claimed that the remaining Rs. 8 million had been given by a brother, investigators informed the court that the suspect had failed to clearly explain how that amount was obtained.

The investigating officer requested the court to remand the suspect, stating that further investigations require recording statements from the suspect’s wife and members of her family.

Appearing for the suspect, Attorney‑at‑Law Kanchana Ratwatte submitted to court that his client had fully cooperated with the investigation.

The defence further stated that no evidence had emerged to indicate that the suspect attempted to influence witnesses, and requested court to release the suspect on bail.

After considering submissions from both parties, Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama rejected the bail application and ordered that Anusha Pelpita be remanded until February 6.