Former Minister of Labour and Public Relations, Mervyn Silva, who was arrested and remanded over allegations of embezzling funds by preparing forged documents related to a land plot in Kelaniya, has been released on bail.
He was taken into custody by officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in early March.
The former minister was produced before the Colombo High Court today (6), where he was granted bail.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption has filed indictments against Silva, accusing him of committing an offence under the Bribery Act. The charges allege that he maintained properties, vehicles, and bank accounts valued at several crores of rupees—assets deemed to be beyond his legally earned income.
The indictments were formally handed over to the accused by the Bribery Commission before Colombo High Court Judge Aditya Patabendi.
Following the hearing, the court ordered that the accused be released on bail.
