Former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte and his wife, Shashi Prabha Ratwatte, have been ordered by the Nugegoda Magistrate's Court to remain in remand custody until November 18, today. They were arrested on charges related to the alleged illegal use of a luxury vehicle, which was reportedly imported and assembled unlawfully in Sri Lanka.
Ratwatte was initially detained on October 31 by Mirihana Police after authorities discovered the unregistered vehicle at a house in Embuldeniya, reportedly owned by his wife. Both Ratwatte and his wife claimed the car was brought to the residence by Ratwatte's private secretary, who was recently found dead in Kandy under suspicious circumstances.
On November 2, Ratwatte was admitted to the prison hospital for illness and later transferred to Colombo National Hospital. His wife was arrested on November 4 and was also remanded following a court appearance.
