Former Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and his wife have been arrested by the CID in connection with allegations of misappropriating over Rs. 6.1 million in 2014.
Police Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manatunga confirmed the arrests, which took place last evening. The charges stem from an incident in 2014, when Yapa, who was a minister at the time, allegedly obtained the funds from the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) under the pretext of providing relief to victims displaced by floods in the Bingiriya and Narammala areas. However, the funds were reportedly diverted for use in presidential election campaigning activities in 2015.
The CID investigation revealed that Yapa had committed criminal misappropriation of funds and violated the Public Properties Act. The arrests were made following advice from the Attorney General’s office.
Both Yapa and his wife are expected to be produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today January 23. The CID continues to investigate the matter, with further details expected in the coming days.
