Travel ban on Minister Keheliya temporarily lifted

The Colombo High Court today permitted Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella to travel abroad from February 21 to May 20.

Minister Rambukwella whose passport was impounded by Court in connection with GI Pipes Case, sought Colombo High Court’s permission to temporary lift his travel ban enabling him to supply essential medicines required for the country through the diplomatic channels.  

The Bribery Commission had filed indictments in Colombo High Court against Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and two others for allegedly causing an unlawful lose to the government after purchasing GI pipes using Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation’s (SLRC) funds during the 2015-Presidential Election while Minister Rambukwella was serving as the Minister of Mass Media. 

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption had filed indictments against Minister Rambukwella, former SLRC Director General Chandrapala Liyanage and former SLRC Chairman Wimal Rubasinghe under section 70 of the Bribery Act. The case was fixed for pre-trial on March 14 by High Court Judge Nawaratne Marasinghe.

The Bribery Commission alleged that three accused in the case had incurred a loss of Rs.990,000 to the SLRC after unnecessarily purchasing 600 of GI pipes on or around December 2, 2014. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)