Keheliya’s coordinating secretary released, made state witness

By Bhagya Silva

Colombo, Oct. 10 (Daily Mirror) - Nishantha Bandara Basnayake, Coordinating Secretary to former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and the third suspect in three corruption cases filed against the former Minister by the Bribery Commission was released from those cases and made a state witness by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today.

When the cases were taken up, the Bribery Commission requested court to release Basnayake from the cases and make him a state witness.

The cases relate to allegations that, during his tenure as Minister of Media, Health and Environment between 2021 and 2023, Keheliya Rambukwella appointed several of his associates to positions in his personal staff and used their government paid salaries and overtime allowances for his personal and political expenses, causing a loss of over Rs. 8 million to the government.

Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, his son Ramitha Rambukwella, Amali Nayanika Rambukwella, Nipuni Krishnika and Nishantha Bandara Basnayake had previously been remanded and were later released on bail in connection with the case.