The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has revealed that it received 3,937 complaints from January to July 2025, of which 3,836 were valid after removing repeated submissions.
According to the Commission’s latest progress report, 2,682 complaints were reviewed by its Complaints Committee, with 288 directed for formal investigation, 1,011 dismissed due to insufficient facts, and 489 referred to other institutions. Another 275 were sent to the Investigation Branch for recording statements, while 1,154 complaints remain under review.
During the period, CIABOC conducted 72 raids, 39 of which were successful. These operations led to 49 arrests, including police officers, Local Government officials, and civil servants. A further 27 arrests were made through ongoing investigations, bringing the total number of arrests to 76. Nearly 40 of those arrested were high-profile individuals, including former ministers Keheliya Rambukwella, S.M. Chandrasena, and Chandrani Bandara, former secretaries of key ministries, provincial officials, and several heads of state corporations.
From January to July, CIABOC filed 54 cases involving 64 accused persons, including 31 cases of bribery, 15 corruption cases, and eight cases related to unexplained wealth. The accused include three former ministers, 13 police officers, Pradeshiya Sabha members, Grama Niladharis, state officials, and civilians.
The Commission reported that 27 persons had been convicted during the seven-month period, across 15 State institutions. Six convictions were linked to the Ministry of Education, followed by two from the Excise Department.
In terms of financial outcomes, the government earned Rs. 2,120,500 from prosecutions during the period. This comprised Rs. 1,347,500 in High Court fines, Rs. 585,000 in penalties, Rs. 18,000 in compensation, Rs. 150,000 from confiscated assets, and Rs. 20,000 in Magistrates’ Court fines.
As of 31 July 2025, 272 bribery- and corruption-related cases remain pending before the courts, including 22 in Magistrates’ Courts, 249 in High Courts, and one before a Trial-at-Bar.
