Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella allegedly offered to bear all expenses required to “settle” the case involving the theft of the historic “Sandagala” artefact, in which his son was implicated, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) told the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday (18).
Rambukwella, a former Mass Media Minister, was arrested by CIABOC on two separate matters yesterday and produced before Colombo Fort Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.
The first case relates to allegations that Rambukwella abused his official position to shield his son from the investigation into the theft of the historic Sandagala artefact. The second concerns allegations that six employees were recruited to the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) beyond its approved cadre and subsequently deployed to his personal staff.
The Magistrate granted him bail in both cases.
When the Sandagala case was taken up first, CIABOC told court that the original investigation had been conducted jointly by the Kandy Divisional Crime Investigation Unit and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
According to CIABOC, during the investigation, the then Senior Superintendent of Police in Kandy, the Officer-in-Charge of the Kandy Crime Investigation Unit and the Pallekele Police OIC had been summoned to Rambukwella’s official residence, where he had questioned them about the investigation.
Police officers had informed Rambukwella that the CID was investigating the matter, the Commission said.
CIABOC further told court that Rambukwella subsequently telephoned then DIG of the CID Prasad Ranasinghe and inquired about the status of the investigation.
Investigators had uncovered evidence that the DIG allegedly responded: “Sir, don’t worry. Nothing will happen to your son,” CIABOC told court.
The Commission said no statement had been recorded from Rambukwella’s son, Ramith Rambukwella. It further alleged that although information had been received that the Sandagala artefact was at the former Minister’s residence in Kandy, permission had not been granted to search the premises.
CIABOC also told court that Rambukwella had allegedly asked a suspect in the case whether several individuals could be engaged to bring the case to an end. He had allegedly said that he would bear all expenses involved in doing so.
The Commission said Rambukwella’s son was subsequently not produced before court, while other suspects were produced and fined Rs. 1,500 each, bringing the case to a conclusion.
CIABOC argued that these circumstances indicated that Rambukwella had abused his official authority to protect his son from the allegations and had thereby committed an offence of corruption.
The Commission sought his remand.
Appearing for Rambukwella, Attorney-at-Law Kanchana Ratwatte told court that 13 cases were pending against his client and that Rambukwella and members of his family had appeared before CIABOC on 81 occasions to provide statements.
The defence argued that this demonstrated that Rambukwella was neither evading court nor the Commission and requested that he be released on bail.
After considering submissions from both sides, the Chief Magistrate observed that sufficient grounds had not been presented to justify remanding Rambukwella.
He was accordingly released on two surety bails of Rs. 1 million each, while the court ordered him to surrender his passport.
The second case, concerning recruitment to the SLRC, was then taken up.
CIABOC alleged that six employees — four drivers and two office assistants — had been recruited to the SLRC despite there being no vacancies in the approved cadre for the Minister’s personal staff.
The Commission told court that investigations had revealed that the six individuals had previously been engaged in political and personal work at Rambukwella’s residence and had applied to the SLRC on his instructions.
Rambukwella’s private secretary had subsequently written to the SLRC Chairman requesting that the six employees be attached to the ministerial staff on the Minister’s instructions, CIABOC said.
Their salaries and allowances had been paid by the SLRC, allegedly causing a financial loss of approximately Rs. 14.3 million to the state broadcaster.
CIABOC said further statements were expected to be recorded from several members of the SLRC Board of Directors. Investigations had also revealed that certain documents relating to the recruitments were missing from the SLRC, the Commission told court.
The defence argued that the employees had not been used for Rambukwella’s personal work but had been assigned for security and official duties.
His lawyers also pointed to a circular issued in 2010, which they said permitted a minister to maintain a personal staff of 15.
After considering the submissions, the Chief Magistrate released Rambukwella on two surety bails of Rs. 5 million each in the SLRC case and imposed a travel ban.
Both cases are due to be taken up again on 21 August.
