Former Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and four others arrested by CID over an allegation of misusing Rs.6.1 million in 2014 were granted bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today.
The CID detained Yapa following instructions from the Attorney General after a lengthy investigation into the alleged misappropriation of Rs. 6.1 million from the Petroleum Corporation during his tenure as Minister of Petroleum Resources Development.
It is alleged that Yapa used these funds, intended for public welfare, for his political activities. He reportedly claimed the money was for providing relief to people displaced by floods in the Bingiriya area in 2014. However, no such relief was provided to the affected people.
Anura Priyadarshana Yapa served as the Minister of Petroleum Resources Development from 2013 to 2015. He had also previously held the position of Media Minister.
Referring to the arrest of former MP and Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and his spouse, United Republican Front (URF) leader Patali Champika Ranawaka said though the government is expected to arrest fraudster Arjuna Mahendran, those responsible for the economic crisis and the e-Visa scam, it had embarked on a political witch-hunt.
