CIABOC records 154 arrests, 115 cases and Rs. 2.8 m fines in 2025

Wednesday, 28 January 2026 00:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

84 suspects arrested through raids, 70 others separately
Cases involve bribery, corruption, unexplained wealth and money laundering
Police, local administration account for most arrests, prosecutions
305 cases pending by end-2025, mostly before High Courts

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) recorded 154 arrests, filed 115 cases and secured Rs. 2.839 million in fines, penalties, compensation and confiscated funds during 2025, according to its 2025 progress review.

CIABOC said 84 suspects were arrested during raids carried out in 2025, following 130 raids conducted during the year, of which 68 were classified as effective. A further 70 suspects were arrested on grounds other than raids, bringing total arrests for the year to 154.

Enforcement activity during the year was concentrated largely in the Sri Lanka Police, divisional and local government administration, transport and revenue-related institutions, and several State-owned enterprises. The police sector accounted for the highest number of arrests and accused persons, followed by Divisional Secretariats and Pradeshiya Sabhas.

The education sector featured to a limited extent. CIABOC reported the arrest of one school principal during raids in 2025, while prosecutions involved two school principals and one teacher. One conviction relating to a school principal was recorded during the year.

During 2025, CIABOC filed 115 cases before the courts, involving a total of 153 accused persons. Of these, 75 cases related to bribery, 21 to corruption, 14 to accumulation of unexplained wealth, and five to money laundering.

A total of 69 cases were concluded during the year, comprising 10 cases in Magistrate’s Courts, 58 in High Courts and one before a Trial-at-Bar. These resulted in the conviction of 42 persons across 36 cases.

In terms of financial outcomes, Magistrate’s Courts imposed fines of Rs. 30,000. High Courts imposed fines totalling Rs. 1.57 million and penalties of Rs. 1.056 million, ordered compensation of Rs. 33,000 and confiscated Rs. 150,000, bringing total monetary recoveries for 2025 to Rs. 2.839 million.

As at 31 December 2025, a total of 305 cases remained pending, with 16 cases before Magistrate’s Courts, 288 before High Courts and one before a Trial-at-Bar.