Bribery commission files charges against ex minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena

The case, filed in the Colombo High Court, accuses the two of causing a financial loss exceeding Rs. 1.7 million to the government by unlawfully utilizing BOI funds to publish newspaper advertisements marking the second anniversary of then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa on November 19, 2014.

According to CIABOC, supplements were published in 11 newspapers, with expenses covered by the BOI, in what the Commission deems a violation of the Anti-Corruption Act. The indictments assert that the advertisements were not related to the BOI’s mandate and constituted a misappropriation of state resources for political promotion.

Legal proceedings are expected to commence soon, as both defendants face charges under provisions that prohibit the misuse of public property and the abuse of official positions for unauthorized purposes.

This case marks another high-profile move in the Bribery Commission’s efforts to hold public officials accountable for alleged misconduct during their tenure.