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<p data-start="69" data-end="289"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ramith Rambukwella, former Sri Lanka cricketer and son of former Cabinet Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, has been remanded in custody until June 3 over allegations of corruption involving public funds.</span></p>
<p data-start="291" data-end="613"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The arrest was made by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), following an investigation into the misuse of over Rs. 8 million. The Colombo Chief Magistrate&rsquo;s Court issued the remand order on Tuesday after Ramith was identified as the second suspect in the case, alongside his father.</span></p>
<p data-start="615" data-end="957"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">According to CIABOC, the charges stem from Keheliya Rambukwella&rsquo;s tenure between 2021 and 2023 as Minister of Mass Media, Health, and Environment. During that time, he is alleged to have appointed family members and close associates to his personal staff and unlawfully claimed allowances on their behalf, causing financial harm to the state.</span></p>
<p data-start="959" data-end="1338"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Investigators told the court that Ramith had repeatedly failed to respond to official summons, citing travel and health issues. Prosecutors opposed bail, arguing that he posed a risk to the ongoing investigation and could influence witnesses. The court agreed, citing earlier concerns over potential witness tampering, and ordered both Ramith and his father to remain in custody.</span></p>
<p data-start="1340" data-end="1431"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ramith Rambukwella represented Sri Lanka in two T20 international matches in 2013 and 2018.</span></p>
<p data-start="1433" data-end="1617"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The case unfolds as part of a broader anti-corruption drive led by the current National People&rsquo;s Power (NPP)-backed government, which has pledged to clean up political and public life.</span></p>
<p data-start="1619" data-end="1952"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">In a separate investigation, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP and former national rugby player Namal Rajapaksa &mdash; son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa &mdash; faces trial over the alleged misappropriation of LKR 70 million from India&rsquo;s Krish Hotels project, intended for rugby development. His pretrial hearing is set for June 27.</span></p>
<p data-start="1954" data-end="2122" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node=""><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">These developments mark a significant shift in Sri Lanka&rsquo;s political landscape, as authorities intensify efforts to hold influential figures accountable for corruption.</span></p>
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Former Cricketer Ramith Rambukwella Remanded

Ex-Sri Lanka player and son of former minister jailed till June 3 over alleged misuse of Rs. 8 million in public funds during father's ministerial tenure

Former Cricketer Ramith Rambukwella Remanded in Corruption Probe

Ex-Sri Lanka player and son of former minister jailed till June 3 over alleged misuse of Rs. 8 million in public funds during father's ministerial ten ...

May 22, 2025 | 10:43 IST