Former National Lotteries Board Chairperson Shyamila Perera Granted Bail in Corruption Case

Former Chairperson of the National Lotteries Board, Shyamila Perera, who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), has been released on bail.

She was granted bail on two surety bonds of Rs. 1 million each.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama also imposed an overseas travel ban on Perera and ordered her to surrender her passport to the court.

Perera was arrested by CIABOC this afternoon and produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court over allegations of corruption.

According to the charges, while serving as Chairperson of the National Lotteries Board, she allegedly appointed one person to a position that was not included in the approved staff cadre and three others to approved positions despite there being no vacancies, all on a contract basis. 

These individuals were then assigned to work for the staff of the then Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake.

The prosecution further alleges that the appointees performed no actual duties, yet salaries and allowances were paid to them, resulting in a financial loss to the state and constituting an act of corruption.

Shyamila Perera is currently serving as the Secretary of the New Democratic Party.