Ex Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena Indicted by Colombo High Court

The indictments relate to alleged misconduct during their respective tenures, which prosecutors claim resulted in a financial loss exceeding Rs. 1.7 million to the government. The charges stem from decisions made under Abeywardena’s portfolio as Minister of Investment Promotion and Edirisinghe’s role at the BOI.

According to the Bribery Commission, the accused are alleged to have abused their official positions and failed to act in accordance with financial regulations and due procedure, thereby causing unjustified losses to the state.

Both Abeywardena and Edirisinghe appeared before the High Court this morning as the charges were formally read out. The court proceedings mark a significant development in the Bribery Commission’s ongoing crackdown on public sector corruption.

The case is scheduled to be taken up again on a future date, during which preliminary legal matters and trial preparations are expected to proceed.