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CIABOC launches probe into Rs. 240,000 rent paid to Keheliya for ‘ghost’ Benz
View(s):By Ranjith Padmasiri
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has begun a probe into an allegation that former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella had obtained a monthly payment of Rs. 240,000 for more than two years, claiming it was the rent for a Mercedes Benz car he was using.
It is alleged that he had obtained this payment while he was health minister.
Investigations have revealed that the registration number he had given in a document he submitted to the Health Ministry to obtain the rent belonged to a vehicle that was up for sale at a car sale centre in Kirulapone.
Detectives said the Rs. 240,000 monthly rent had been deposited in the bank account of one of Mr. Rambukwella’s friends. The friend’s husband had withdrawn the money every month and handed it over to the then minister. Investigators said Health Ministry records showed that the Benz car had never come to the Health Ministry premises.
Meanwhile, Mr. Rambukwella is also facing two separate court cases at the Colombo High Court. The first case involves allegations of conspiracy to supply counterfeit immunoglobulin vials to state hospitals, criminal misappropriation of Rs. 144.4 million through that conspiracy and aiding and abetting the crime.
Mr. Rambukwella and 11 other accused have been indicted on 13 counts before a three-judge bench of the Colombo High Court over the case, and summonses are to be issued next week ordering the accused to appear in court. All but one of the accused in the case are currently out on bail.
Meanwhile, the CIABOC has filed indictments against Mr. Rambukwella and five members of his family under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. They have been indicted on 43 counts.
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