– The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has arrested former Chief Minister of the Southern Province Shan Wijayalal De Silva over corruption allegations today.

The arrest follows an investigation into a 2019 project implemented by the Southern Province Development Authority, which operated under the purview of the Southern Province Chief Ministry. It is alleged that Rs 16.5 million from Southern Provincial Council member allocations, originally intended for purchasing chairs for public voluntary societies in the province, was misappropriated.

According to investigators, a manufacturing entity was deliberately selected outside of standard, regulated procurement guidelines to unfairly benefit the chosen business. Furthermore, a total of 16,361 purchased chairs were reportedly transported and delivered directly to the residences and offices of 54 Provincial Council members across three districts in the Southern Province.

Following the arrest, the suspect is scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.