Former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa was arrested today (6) by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption over alleged misconduct involving state property and abuse of official powers.

According to the Commission, the arrest is linked to compensation claimed for a building and other property constructed illegally on a land belonging to the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Development Authority in the Sevangala and Kiriibbanwewa. The property had been damaged during the public uprising on 9 May 2022.

The Commission states that although compensation for the property had been initially denied, Shasheendra Rajapaksa had allegedly used his official influence to pressure certain public officials who were assigned to the compensation office, resulting in the compensation being paid in violation of the initial decision.

He is further accused of conspiring to commit an offence of corruption under the Bribery Act by securing compensation through undue influence. In addition, since the property was located on land owned by the Mahaweli Authority, he is also charged with the unlawful use of public property, an offence punishable under Section 5(1) of the Offences Against Public Property Act No. 12 of 1982 as amended by Act No. 28 of 1999.