Three suspects, including attorney Rakhitha Rajapaksa, the son of former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, are scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court today (July 3) in connection with an alleged bribery case.
The other two suspects are Charith Abeysinghe, a former organizer of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) for the Horana electorate, and Aruna Warunahandige, a former director of the Civil Aviation Authority.
The trio was arrested recently by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and was remanded in custody until today following their initial court appearance.
According to CIABOC, the investigation is linked to alleged attempts to influence the legal proceedings involving notorious organized crime figure Nandun Chinthaka Wickramaratne, also known as "Harak Kata," who was arrested in Madagascar and later detained by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) under detention orders.
Investigators allege that in March 2023, the three suspects traveled together to Dubai, where they met Harak Kata's wife, Madhushika Madhuwanthi, and another alleged organized crime associate identified as Midigama Ruwan.
CIABOC claims that during the meeting, the suspects allegedly promised to prevent Harak Kata from being killed by police, secure the removal of his detention orders, arrange his transfer from the Boossa High Security Prison to another prison, and facilitate his release from ongoing investigations.
In return, they allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs. 500 million, which was later reduced to Rs. 200 million. Investigators further allege that Rs. 100 million was paid as an initial advance, followed by an additional Rs. 20 million at a later stage.
The case is expected to be taken up before the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court today, where further proceedings are anticipated.
