Former Minister Mervyn Silva indicted over Rs. 800 m in unexplained assets

Saturday, 7 June 2025 01:23 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Mervyn Silva

The Colombo High Court yesterday indicted former Minister Mervyn Silva on serious corruption charges, following an investigation by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

The indictment alleges that Silva unlawfully accumulated assets exceeding Rs. 800 million, far beyond his declared legal income during his time in office between 31 March 2010 and 31 March 2012.

According to the indictment, Silva used Rs. 71.3 million to purchase a prime land in Ernest de Silva Mawatha, Colombo 7 and spending Rs. 13.9 million to purchase land in Kadawatha.

The Bribery Commission has also presented evidence of extravagant vehicle purchases during the same period for his son, Malaka Silva, including: Rs. 32.4 million on a Mercedes Benz, over Rs. 55 million on a Hyundai car and Rs. 8.85 million on a Defender SUV.

The charges fall under two key provisions of the Bribery Act, relating to the unlawful possession of assets disproportionate to lawful earnings.

Following the filing of the charges, the court ordered the release of the accused on bail.

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