Lohan Ratwatte and Wife Remanded

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte and his wife, Shashi Prabha Ratwatte, were remanded today until November 18 under charges related to the illegal use of a vehicle that was reportedly assembled without proper authorization.

They was produced before Nugegoda Magistrate Ruwani Jayawardena after investigations by the Mirihana Police revealed the luxury vehicle, found at the couple's residence on Shalawa Road, Embuldeniya, Mirihana, had been illegally assembled

The vehicle was also discovered without a valid number plate.

The investigation has uncovered that the vehicle's chassis number was fraudulent, and the couple had been using it since 2020.

Attorney DIG Ruwan Gunasekara said they swapped license plates with fraudulent ones and used them on another vehicle, a Toyota Lexus. Video evidence of the vehicle’s use has been submitted to the Government Analyst for further examination.

In addition to charges under the Motor Traffic Act and the Penal Code, the case also involves violations of the Customs Ordinance and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The Director of Customs testified in court today as part of the ongoing investigation.

Lohan Ratwatte was arrested by the Mirihana Police on October 30, while his wife appeared before the court on November 4 and was remanded until today.