Colombo High Court extends suspension on Keheliya’s family bank accounts worth over Rs. 93 m

The Colombo High Court has further extended the order issued suspending the fixed deposits and insurance policies to the tune of over Rs. 93 million belonging to former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and five of his close relatives, in connection with an investigation by the Bribery Commission.

The Court extended the suspension till 4 January 2025, following a request by the Bribery Commission (CIABOC). The Colombo High Court extended the suspension on 16 fixed deposit accounts and three life insurance policies belonging to the family members of former Health Minister. 

Issuing a statement, the Bribery Commission said the fixed deposit accounts containing a sum of Rs. 93.125 million belonged to the former Minister’s wife, three daughters and one son-in-law. 

In June, the Bribery Commission issued an order to freeze the accounts for seven days over suspicious transactions and in July, the CIABOC seized the fixed deposit accounts and life insurance policies belonging to the family members of Rambukwella. 

Additionally, in September, the Colombo High Court issued an order preventing the use of two luxury apartments in Kollupitiya purchased by Ramith Rambukwella, the son of the former Health Minister. 

The said two luxury apartments in the Kollupitiya area have reportedly been purchased by Ramith Rambukwella for Rs. 80 million and Rs. 65 million. 

All these measures were conducted at the time when former Health Minister was in remand custody in connection with the substandard human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) procurement. 

Police investigations have revealed that financial fraud of Rs. 130 million had occurred via the imports of the said substandard medicine, during the tenure of Rambukwella as Health Minister.

However, in September, the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court granted bail to the former Health Minister, after nearly seven months in prison.