Shyamila paid salaries to Ravi's campaign workers from the National Lotteries Board.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Mr. Asanga S. Bodaragama has ordered the release on bail of Ms. Shyamila Perera, the former Chairperson of the National Lotteries Board, who was accused of committing the offense of corruption by recruiting three employees, claiming it was for a special project of the Board, and then deploying them for the political activities of former Finance Minister Mr. Ravi Karunanayake.

The Magistrate ordered the suspect, who was arrested and produced before the court, to be released on two personal bails of Rs. 1 million each. In addition, the Chief Magistrate ordered a travel ban on her and for her passport to be taken into court custody, and strictly warned the suspect to refrain from influencing any witnesses related to the trial in any manner.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, presenting the suspect to the court, stated that during her tenure as the Chairperson of the National Lotteries Board, three officers recruited for institutional service were assigned to the personal staff of Mr. Ravi Karunanayake, who was then the Minister of Finance. Investigations into this matter commenced based on a complaint received by the Bribery Commission on November 17, 2025.

Investigations have revealed that in this incident, two Project Coordination Secretaries and a Management Assistant were recruited on a contract basis for the special projects unit of the National Lotteries Board. It was further revealed that the said Management Assistant position does not even exist within the official hierarchy of the National Lotteries Board. The suspect, misleading the Board of Directors of the institution, recruited these three individuals at the request of the former Minister of Finance, and they have not contributed to any official duties of the Lotteries Board.

The Bribery Commission points out that a large financial loss has been incurred by the government because over Rs. 3 million was paid from the National Lotteries Board's provisions as salaries and allowances for these individuals who only provided services for Mr. Ravi Karunanayake's political activities. Since this act falls under the offense of corruption according to Section 70 of the Bribery Act, and as further investigations are yet to be conducted into this matter, the Commission requested the court to remand the suspect.

President's Counsel Kalinga Indatissa, appearing for the suspect, stated that his client is ready to provide any necessary assistance for future investigations. The President's Counsel requested that she be released on suitable bail, as she has not influenced any witnesses in the case, and the Chief Magistrate, after considering the submissions from both parties, decided to release the suspect on bail.