Akila Viraj remanded till 18 August

Thursday, 6 August 2026 06:53 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday ordered to remand former Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam till 18 August.

Kariyawasam was arrested on corruption charges during his tenure as Senior Presidential Adviser (Administrative Reforms), the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) said.

Issuing a statement, the CIABOC noted that while serving as Senior Presidential Adviser, Kariyawasam recruited four employees under the claim they were part of his official staff. Three had been deployed to work at his private filling station, while another was engaged in duties unrelated to the office.

Despite not being assigned to official responsibilities, arrangements were made to pay salaries and allowances totaling Rs. 2,768,836.14 from public funds, causing financial loss to the State.

He was taken into custody around 1.45 p.m. yesterday by officers of the CIABOC and was remanded till 18 August after being produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.