Sri Lanka’s Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has recorded its most active year in nearly a decade, marking a historic surge in arrests, convictions, and public engagement. The latest performance data shows a sharp rise in enforcement actions that began in 2024 and has carried into 2025, reflecting the growing impact of the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023.
CIABOC’s intensified campaign has shifted beyond traditional bribery cases to tackle large-scale corruption and misconduct involving high-ranking public officials and political figures. The Commission said its mission now prioritises robust law enforcement, prevention, and transparency to strengthen governance and public accountability.
In 2024, CIABOC conducted 53 successful raids the highest in years compared to 43 in 2023 and 32 in 2022. These operations led to 86 arrests, up from 57 the previous year. The momentum remains strong in 2025, with 27 raids and 34 arrests in just the first six months.
While bribery remains central to CIABOC’s operations, the agency has widened its reach into more complex corruption cases. In 2024, the Commission filed 83 cases, 70 of which were bribery-related. During the first half of 2025, 15 of the 50 filed cases were corruption-related — nearly matching the highest annual record of such cases in 2022. For the first time, cases involving illicit enrichment and non-declaration of assets have begun to emerge under the new legal framework.
A notable trend has been the prosecution of senior officials and political leaders. Among those arrested in the first half of 2025 were a former Minister of Health and Mass Media, a former Minister of Sports, a former Chief Minister and Chief Secretary of the Uva Province, and a former Opposition Leader of the Central Provincial Council. High-profile arrests also included senior officers from the Department of Motor Traffic, SriLankan Airlines, and even a neurosurgeon.
Convictions have similarly climbed to their highest level since 2015. Thirty individuals were convicted in 2024 including a former Minister of Disaster Management and senior Customs and Railway officials while 24 convictions were recorded in the first half of 2025. Those convicted this year include a former Chief Minister, a former Minister of Sports, and a former MP who also chaired Lanka Sathosa.
CIABOC attributes this momentum to greater public engagement following the 2023 Act. A record 4,267 complaints were lodged in 2024, with another 3,022 received in the first half of 2025. Meanwhile, the Prevention Division has conducted 139 awareness programmes in 2024 and 113 this year, targeting public institutions, private firms, and schools.
The Commission is also supporting the creation of Internal Affairs Units within ministries and State bodies to enhance internal oversight and curb corruption from within.
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