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Investigation underway regarding Ranatunga’s alleged threat to 5 brokering firms: CIABOC tells court
View(s):By Ranjith Padmasiri
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) this week informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate that an investigation is underway about five brokering firms that were reportedly threatened by former Minister Prsanna Ranatunga who faces allegations of misappropriating public funds and causing a loss to the state.
Mr Ranatunga was produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama and was released on a cash bail of Rs. 100,000 and two surety bails of Rs. 500,000 each.
Mr Ranatunga is accused of unlawfully appointing a private broker firm for direct medical insurance coverage provided to employees of four institutions under the Ministry of Tourism, causing a financial loss of Rs. 4,750,828.72 to the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation.
The money received by the brokering firm had reportedly been deposited in five accounts and investigations are underway to ascertain the account holders identity, the court was told.
Chief Police Inspector Gamini Abeysinghe, on behalf of the Bribery Commission told court that a brokering firm’s service had been obtained without following the procurement process.
Mr Ranatunga’s counsel, Anil Silva, PC told court that the funds were used to bring down Sri Lankans stranded in Kuwait during the COVID-19 pandemic and the former minister had not used the funds for personal purposes.
The case has been scheduled to be taken up again on January 16, 2026.
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