The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has reported a surge in public complaints and significant progress in investigations during the first seven months of 2025, according to its official progress report.
From January 1 to July 31, the Commission received 3,937 complaints, in addition to 240 carried over from 2024. After removing 341 repeated complaints that were referred to existing files, 3,836 complaints were formally recorded. Of these, 2,682 were reviewed by the Complaints Committee, which directed 288 cases for investigation, while 1,011 were deemed outside the scope of the Bribery Act or lacking sufficient facts. Another 489 complaints were referred to other institutions, and 275 were sent to the Investigation Branch for statements. By the end of July, 1,154 complaints remained pending.
The Commission also carried out 72 raids during the same period, of which 39 were successful. These operations led to the arrest of 49 suspects, including senior police officers, principals, revenue inspectors, public health inspectors, and officials from key ministries and state departments.
In addition to raid-related arrests, 27 suspects were apprehended through ongoing investigations. Among them were several high-profile figures, including former ministers, provincial politicians, senior state officials, and family members of former cabinet members.
Between January and July, the Commission filed cases against 64 accused individuals across various courts. The offences included bribery, corruption, and accumulation of unexplained wealth. Bribery cases alone accounted for 31 indictments, while corruption charges numbered 15.
Fines and penalties imposed during this period brought in over Rs. 1.9 million to the state. Magistrate’s Courts imposed fines amounting to Rs. 20,000, while High Courts ordered fines of Rs. 1,347,500, penalties of Rs. 585,000, and confiscation of Rs. 150,000 in illicit funds.
By the end of July, 272 cases remained pending, including 22 before Magistrate’s Courts, 249 before High Courts, and one before a Trial-at-Bar.
During the first seven months of the year, 27 individuals were convicted in 24 cases. Convictions ranged from senior police officers and government officials to a former provincial chief minister, a former minister of sports, and a former chairman of Lanka Sathosa.
The Commission’s mid-year progress reflects an intensified focus on both petty and high-level corruption, with ongoing cases expected to keep the judiciary engaged in the coming months.
