Former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga Arrested in High-Profile Corruption Probe
Colombo, Sri Lanka – November 12, 2025 – Former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, a prominent political figure, was dramatically arrested today by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) after presenting himself to the commission’s office to give a statement. The arrest is part of a high-stakes investigation into alleged corruption and misappropriation of public funds during his tenure as Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation.
The arrest underscores the government’s renewed efforts to tackle corruption at the highest levels of political office, sending a strong message of accountability to the public. Mr. Ranatunga was taken into custody on charges related to a fraudulent transaction involving a mandatory insurance scheme, which allegedly resulted in a significant financial loss to a state-owned enterprise.
The Allegations: An Illegal Insurance Brokerage Deal
The core of the charges against the former minister revolves around the direct medical insurance scheme intended for the employees of four key institutions operating under the purview of the Ministry of Tourism. The investigation by CIABOC alleges that Mr. Ranatunga, while in office, acted illegally by appointing a private brokerage firm to handle the insurance policy procurement.
Crucially, the policy was meant to be sourced directly from the state-owned Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC). By circumventing the proper and lawful procedure and inserting a private middleman, the state insurance body was reportedly made to suffer a financial loss amounting to Rs. 4,750,828.72 (approximately 4.75 million Sri Lankan Rupees). The involvement of the private brokerage firm, whose appointment is alleged to be ultra vires (beyond the legal power) of the minister’s authority, is the central point of the corruption charge.
This type of direct medical insurance is a standard benefit for public sector employees, and the alleged manipulation of the procurement process for personal or third-party gain highlights a serious breach of public trust and financial discipline. The charges essentially accuse the former minister of misusing his ministerial position to award an undue favour to a private company at the direct financial expense of a state institution.
A Day of Legal Action
Mr. Ranatunga had arrived at the CIABOC premises earlier today, November 12, to comply with a summons to provide a statement regarding the ongoing investigation. Following his questioning, CIABOC officials formally placed him under arrest. This marks another high-profile arrest in a year that has seen multiple former ministers and senior officials facing legal scrutiny over allegations dating back several years.
Following the formal arrest, the former minister is scheduled to be presented before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court later in the day. The Magistrate will then review the charges and the evidence presented by the prosecution (CIABOC) and decide whether to grant bail or order a period of remand custody while the investigation continues.
Broader Context of Anti-Corruption Drive
The investigation into Mr. Ranatunga’s conduct is one of several high-profile cases currently being pursued by CIABOC, signaling a vigorous anti-corruption drive in the country. This broader push for accountability comes amidst significant public pressure for transparent governance, especially in the wake of the nation’s severe economic crisis, which many analysts attribute partly to entrenched corruption and financial mismanagement.
While Mr. Ranatunga has faced other legal issues in the past—including a previous conviction in 2022 for extorting Rs. 64 million from a businessman during his time as Chief Minister of the Western Province—the current arrest relates specifically to alleged corruption during his more recent ministerial tenure.
The success of these ongoing investigations and prosecutions is widely viewed as a critical litmus test for the independence and efficacy of Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption institutions. The public and civil society groups are keenly watching the proceedings, hoping that the legal process will deliver justice and deter future acts of corruption by political leaders. The ultimate outcome of the court case will likely have significant implications for the political future of the former minister and the government’s credibility in its commitment to clean governance.
Lions Roar News will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates on the court proceedings and further details of the investigation.
