September 18, Colombo (LNW): A former Provincial Minister in the Sabaragamuwa region, Athula Kumara Rahubaddha, has been ordered to remain in remand custody until October 02, following his appearance before the Embilipitiya Magistrate’s Court today (18).
Rahubaddha was taken into custody a day earlier by officers attached to the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), operating under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The arrest is linked to a major financial misconduct inquiry concerning approximately Rs. 70 million in public funds that were allocated during his ministerial term between 2016 and 2017.
According to information presented in court by CID investigators, 77 development initiatives were officially approved during the relevant period, and state funds were reportedly disbursed for 15 of these projects. However, the investigators allege that there is no evidence to show that these projects were ever carried out.
The prosecution argued that this points to a deliberate misappropriation of state resources and a breach of public trust, prompting the court to order Rahubaddha’s continued detention while further inquiries are carried out.
