Ex-Minister and wife arrested for alleged misuse of Rs. 6.1 relief funds

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya 

Former Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and his wife were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for the alleged misuse of Rs. 6.1 million from the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation in 2014.

Police Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manathunga said the funds were initially obtained by the suspects for relief efforts for flood victims in Bingiriya and Naramwala but were instead used for the 2015 presidential election campaign.

Following the directions of the Attorney General, the suspects were arrested on charges of misappropriating public funds, he said.

They are scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Magistrate's Court today.