Seventy-Year History of Wakf Board Rocked: CID Closes In on Massive Corruption Network That Overrode Powers Under Section 56
ColomboWire Investigations Desk
ColomboWire has reliably learned that Sri Lanka’s Wakf Board, an institution with a history spanning more than seven decades, is now facing one of the most serious criminal investigations ever launched against it, following allegations of large-scale property fraud, abuse of statutory powers, and systematic corruption.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has formally commenced a wide-ranging probe into alleged irregularities committed by senior officials and board members of the Wakf Board, who are accused of exceeding and abusing powers granted under the Muslim Mosques and Charitable Trusts (Wakf) Act No. 51 of 1956, particularly those linked to Section 56 of the Act.
According to information received by ColomboWire, valuable Wakf-owned properties located in Dehiwala and surrounding prime urban areas were sold or transferred under highly questionable circumstances, allegedly without lawful authority, proper valuation, or transparent approval procedures.
CID Enters Wakf Board Premises for the First Time in 70 Years
In a development described by legal observers as unprecedented, CID officers entered the Wakf Board headquarters last Friday to secure documents, records, and electronic data relevant to the investigation.
Sources told ColomboWire that several officials connected to the alleged transactions fled the premises shortly before the CID arrival, apparently fearing imminent arrest. Investigators are now assessing whether criminal charges can be filed under Section 56, which deals with false declarations, fraudulent conduct, and misrepresentation of Wakf property affairs.
This marks the first time in the 70-year history of the Wakf Board that a criminal probe of this scale has been launched against its governing structure.
Dehiwala Property Sale at the Centre of the Storm
At the heart of the investigation lies a high-value Wakf-owned property in Dehiwala, an area where land prices have soared dramatically over the past decade.
According to documents reviewed by ColomboWire:
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The property was allegedly sold or transferred with the direct involvement of certain Wakf Board members
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The transaction did not reflect prevailing market value
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Required community consultation and beneficiary consent appear to have been bypassed
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There are serious discrepancies in valuation reports and approval records
Legal experts point out that Wakf properties are held in perpetual trust, meaning they cannot be sold, alienated, or disposed of except under extremely narrow legal conditions, and strictly for the benefit of the Wakf and its intended beneficiaries.
“If these allegations are proven, this is not a mere administrative lapse,” a senior legal analyst told ColomboWire. “This amounts to criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and deliberate abuse of statutory authority.”
Abuse of Powers Under the Wakf Act
The Muslim Mosques and Charitable Trusts (Wakf) Act No. 51 of 1956 grants extensive powers to the Wakf Board to manage religious and charitable properties. However, these powers are fiduciary in nature, not proprietary.
Investigators suspect that certain officials treated Wakf properties as disposable assets, effectively operating a parallel land-dealing network under the cover of statutory authority.
The CID is now examining:
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Board resolutions authorising property transfers
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Legal opinions obtained to justify sales
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Whether false or misleading information was provided to oversight bodies
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Potential involvement of external property developers and intermediaries
Section 56 of the Act specifically criminalises false statements, concealment of material facts, and fraudulent dealings relating to Wakf administration, opening the door for non-bailable offences, depending on the scale of loss and intent.
A Network, Not an Isolated Incident
Sources close to the investigation caution that the Dehiwala transaction may be only one part of a broader pattern.
Preliminary findings suggest:
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Multiple properties across Colombo, suburbs, and key commercial zones may have been affected
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A small but powerful group of officials exercised disproportionate control over approvals
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Documentation was allegedly backdated, altered, or selectively withheld
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Beneficiary communities were kept in the dark
“This appears to be an organised system rather than a one-off abuse,” a senior CID officer noted, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Shock and Anger Within the Muslim Community
The revelations have triggered deep concern and anger within the Muslim community, particularly among mosque trustees and local Wakf beneficiaries.
Community leaders speaking to ColomboWire said the alleged conduct represents a betrayal of religious trust.
“Wakf property is not government land, and it is not private land,” said a senior cleric. “It belongs to Allah and the community. Anyone who sells it unlawfully commits not just a crime, but a moral transgression.”
Several civil society groups have now called for:
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Immediate suspension of implicated officials
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A forensic audit of all Wakf properties nationwide
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Greater transparency and public disclosure mechanisms
Political and Institutional Ramifications
The investigation is expected to have far-reaching political consequences, particularly as the government has pledged zero tolerance for corruption in statutory bodies.
Legal sources indicate that additional agencies, including the Auditor General’s Department and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), may soon join the probe.
If charges are filed, this could become one of the most significant corruption cases involving a religious statutory body in Sri Lanka’s history.
What Happens Next
The CID is expected to:
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Summon current and former Wakf Board members for questioning
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Secure court orders to freeze suspect transactions
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Trace financial flows linked to property disposals
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Identify beneficiaries of alleged undervalued sales
ColomboWire understands that arrest warrants are being actively considered, pending legal review of evidence collected so far.
A Defining Moment for Wakf Governance
As Sri Lanka grapples with broader governance reform, the Wakf Board scandal presents a defining test: can statutory religious institutions be held to the same standards of accountability as any other public body?
For now, one thing is clear.
The 70-year-old edifice of the Wakf Board has been shaken, and the outcome of this investigation may permanently reshape how Wakf properties are managed, protected, and governed in the future.
ColomboWire will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as this major investigation unfolds.