Sixteen former ministers and three former state ministers have been convicted in cases filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) since the present government took office, Deputy Minister of Public Security Sunil Watagala told Parliament.
Watagala said CIABOC investigations between October 2024 and October 2026 led to the arrest of 226 people over bribery and corruption allegations, 55 of them politicians.
Those arrested included a former chief minister, four wives of former ministers, seven children of former ministers and six former local government chairpersons, he said.
Watagala said the pace of the investigations reflected government measures to strengthen the independence of state institutions.
Those arrested are accused of offences and remain subject to the legal process unless convicted by a court.
