Former Secretary to Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Mass Media and ex-Chairman of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL), Anusha Palpita, was arrested on Tuesday by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) in connection with an investigation into alleged unexplained wealth.
According to CIABOC, Palpita was taken into custody after he arrived at the Bribery Commission on the morning of the 23rd, where investigators recorded his initial statement. His arrest follows an inquiry launched on the basis of information received by the Commission regarding assets allegedly accumulated beyond his lawful income.
In a statement, CIABOC said Palpita is accused of failing to disclose the source of assets amounting to approximately Rs. 46 million. The investigation focuses on a specific period during which he is alleged to have amassed significant assets and property disproportionate to his declared earnings.
The Commission noted that the arrest was made under charges related to the accumulation of wealth exceeding legal income, an offence under Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption laws. Investigators have been examining whether the former senior official acquired these assets through means inconsistent with his official remuneration and declared sources of income.
Palpita, a prominent figure in Sri Lanka’s media and telecommunications regulatory landscape, previously served as Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and later as Chairman of the TRCSL, a powerful regulatory body overseeing the country’s telecommunications sector. His tenure in public office placed him at the centre of policy decisions and regulatory oversight in a sector with significant commercial interests.
Following his arrest, CIABOC confirmed that Palpita is due to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, where further proceedings are expected to take place. The Commission has not disclosed additional details of the investigation, citing the ongoing nature of the case.
The arrest comes amid renewed efforts by Sri Lankan authorities to pursue corruption cases involving former public officials, as part of broader commitments to strengthen governance, transparency, and accountability in public life. Legal experts note that cases involving alleged unexplained wealth often hinge on detailed financial investigations and the ability of the accused to account for the lawful origin of assets.
As the case proceeds through the courts, it is expected to draw significant public and political attention, given Palpita’s former senior roles within the government and the regulatory framework of Sri Lanka’s telecommunications industry.
By FCCT Editorial Team
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