Rambukwella Family Under Fire as Insider Flips in Court

State Witness Twist Shakes Ongoing Corruption ProbeA dramatic turn in the corruption cases against former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella came today when his onetime coordinating secretary, Nishantha Bandara Basnayake, was released from three Bribery Commission cases and named a state witness by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.

The Bribery Commission formally asked the court to free Basnayake so he could testify.Allegations of Salary Misuse and FavouritismProsecutors allege that during his tenure as Minister of Media, Health and Environment (2021–2023), Rambukwella appointed several close associates to his personal staff and used their government-funded salaries and overtime payments for private and political activities, causing a reported loss of over Rs. 8 million to the state

Family and Associates Already on BailThe former minister, his son Ramitha Rambukwella, Amali Nayanika Rambukwella, Nipuni Krishnika, and Nishantha Bandara Basnayake were earlier remanded and later released on bail in connection with the same allegations.

With Basnayake now turning state witness, investigators are expected to intensify scrutiny of the Rambukwella family’s financial dealings and their use of ministry resources.

All parties remain innocent until proven guilty as the hearings continue.