Chamithri Rambukwella arrested

Ms. Chamithri Rambukwella, the eldest daughter of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and a former Second Secretary at the Sri Lankan Consulate in New York, has been arrested by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. This arrest was made on February 06, 2026, on charges of engaging in money laundering using a sum of 30 million rupees.

In connection with these investigations, after the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka observed suspicious transactions, steps had previously been taken to freeze the assets of several members of the Rambukwella family. Accordingly, authorities have suspended 16 fixed deposit accounts and 05 life insurance policies held in the names of former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, his wife Kusum Priyadarshani Epa Wiheena, daughters Chamithri Jayanika, Chandrani Pamali, and Amali Nayanika, as well as his son-in-law Isuru Pulasthi Bandara.

When the relevant case was called before the court, the judge issued a special order regarding the manner in which the trial would be conducted. Accordingly, all other individuals present in the courtroom, except for lawyers and law students, were instructed to leave. There, the lawyers representing the members of the Rambukwella family submitted to the court that their clients were facing severe economic difficulties due to the freezing of their bank accounts and requested that the ban be lifted.

However, Assistant Director Attorney Ms. Thusitha Jayaneththi, appearing on behalf of the Bribery Commission, strongly objected to the defense's request. Previously, in June 2025, Chamithri Rambukwella and others were arrested under money laundering charges and released on bail, and a comprehensive investigation into the financial activities of his family members is currently underway, parallel to the incidents involving the former minister.