Rakitha, Charith Remanded In 'Harak Kata' Bribe Probe

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court ordered that Rakitha Rajapaksa, the son of former Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa, Samagi Jana Balawegaya Horana organiser Charith Abeysinghe, and Warushahennedige Aruna Sri Chathuranga, a former Director of Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka, be remanded in custody until July 3.

They were arrested this (25) morning by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption in connection with allegations that a bribe of 120 million rupees was accepted to secure the remanding of organized crime figure Nadun Chinthaka, also known as “Harak Kata,” instead of being held under detention orders.

Who are the arrested individuals?

Attorney-at-Law Rakitha Rajapaksa, son of former Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister, President’s Counsel Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa.

Charith Abeysinghe, Samagi Jana Balawegaya organiser for the Horana electorate.

Varushahennadige Aruna Sri Chathuranga, a former Director of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited.

What is the allegation?

It is alleged that 500 million rupees was demanded as a bribe, claiming the ability to intervene in matters related to organized crime figure and large-scale drug trafficker Nadun Chinthaka, also known as “Harak Kata,” who was being held under detention orders by the Criminal Investigation Department. 

The suspects allegedly claimed they could prevent him from being killed in police custody, arrange for the removal of his detention orders, facilitate his transfer from the high-security Boossa Prison in Galle to another prison, and secure his release from ongoing investigations and related proceedings.

Rs 120 million rupees was obtained from this amount.

Investigations have revealed that in 2023, while in Dubai, a demand of 500 million rupees was made from Harak Kata’s wife, Madhushika Madhuwanti, which was later reduced to 200 million rupees, with 120 million rupees taken as an advance payment.

Following a prolonged investigation initiated based on an anonymous complaint received by the Bribery Commission on March 4 last year, the three suspects were arrested.

The suspects, who were arrested at three different locations, were subsequently brought to the Bribery Commission, where statements were recorded and preliminary procedures required for court proceedings were carried out.

At the hearing, Attorney-at-Law Anil de Silva, appearing for Rakitha Rajapaksa, told court that his client is severely suffering from sleep apnea, a condition that causes breathing interruptions during sleep.

Counsel appearing for Charith Abeysinghe informed court that he is a heart patient who has already undergone the placement of three stents and requires five additional stents.

He further stated that, unfortunately, the second suspect, Charith Abeysinghe, has developed almost all ailments commonly associated with a person aged around 60.