Former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa was arrested this morning (August 6) by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). He was taken into custody at his residence in Nugegoda.

The arrest is linked to a case involving alleged compensation obtained through a third party for a plot of government land in the Sevanagala–Kiriibban Wewa area, which was set on fire during the 2022 island-wide protests.

Rajapaksa has been brought to the Bribery Commission, where his statement is currently being recorded. He is expected to be presented before court shortly.