The Information Technology Controller of the Department of Immigration and Emigration has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department following an investigation into a fraudulent procurement claim.
According to police, the suspect submitted a written declaration stating that more than Rs. 9.8 million had been spent on implementing a software system at the department. Investigators established that no such system was ever built or deployed. The CID arrested the suspect on allegations of offences under the Public Property Act, and he is to be produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court.
The case marks the first time a departmental IT Controller-level official has been charged over a fabricated procurement claim — distinct from contractor-level fraud or external financial crimes at state banks. The IT Controller holds the most senior technology role within the department’s organisational structure.
Sri Lanka’s CID has pursued a series of state-institution financial misconduct cases in recent months, including investigations into fraudulent transactions at NDB Bank and procurement irregularities elsewhere across the public sector.
