A team of officials from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) visited the Parliament Road residence of MP Ravi Karunanayake today (29) after he reportedly failed to appear before the commission despite being summoned on three occasions.
Karunanayake was not at home when the officials arrived. Residents reportedly informed them that he had travelled to Nuwara Eliya.
The former Finance Minister had been instructed to appear before CIABOC on July 16, July 30 and August 28 to record a statement in connection with an ongoing investigation.
The inquiry relates to allegations that five officers recruited to the National Lotteries Board during Karunanayake’s tenure as Finance Minister were deployed for his private work.
Former National Lotteries Board Chairperson Shyamila Perera was previously arrested over allegations that three officers recruited during her tenure were assigned to duties at Karunanayake’s office instead of serving at the board.
Separately, CIABOC has filed indictments against Karunanayake in the Colombo High Court over the payment of rent for a luxury apartment at the Monarch Residencies through Walt & Row Associates during the period of the 2015 Central Bank bond issuance.
Investigators have also previously recorded statements and evidence from the former minister concerning financial transactions, asset and liability declarations, and the bond issue.
