Former Minister Ravi Karunanayake was granted bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court on Monday evening after being arrested earlier in the day by officials of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).
Karunanayake had appeared before CIABOC on the morning of 31 August in response to a summons.
After several hours of questioning and the recording of a statement, he was taken into custody by CIABOC officials.
He was subsequently produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court and granted bail.
Investigation concerns National Lotteries Board recruitment
According to investigators cited by News 1st, the investigation concerns allegations relating to the recruitment of five individuals to the National Lotteries Board on a contract basis outside approved recruitment procedures.
Investigators allege that those individuals were subsequently attached to Karunanayake's personal staff.
These remain allegations being investigated and should not be interpreted as findings of guilt.
Previous summons
News 1st reports that Karunanayake had previously been summoned on four occasions to appear before the Bribery Commission but had not reported to the Commission on those occasions.
CIABOC officials reportedly visited his residence in Battaramulla two days before his eventual appearance but were informed that he was not at home.
He appeared before the Commission at approximately 8.15 a.m. on Monday in response to the latest summons.
Arrest followed by bail
Following questioning, CIABOC officials arrested Karunanayake and later produced him before the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court.
The Court subsequently ordered his release on bail.
The granting of bail does not determine the merits of the allegations or the eventual outcome of the investigation.