Fake Chassis Number Mystery: Why Was Yoshitha Called to CID?

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's son, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, was questioned by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for nearly two hours on Tuesday, with investigators recording a statement as part of an ongoing probe into an alleged illegal vehicle assembly and sales network.

But why was Yoshitha Rajapaksa summoned?

According to investigators, the questioning was linked to a wider investigation being conducted by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) with the assistance of Sri Lanka Customs into the suspected illegal importation, assembly, and sale of motor vehicles.

The investigation focused on a luxury jeep believed to have been imported into Sri Lanka during the 2020-2021 period. Authorities say a forensic examination by the Government Analyst revealed that the vehicle had allegedly been assembled using a fraudulent chassis number.

The discovery triggered a broader investigation, which resulted in the arrest of several suspects. Investigators said those arrested were unable to provide documentation proving the legal importation of the vehicle.

Officials further stated that statements made by the main suspect in the case had revealed an alleged connection to Yoshitha Rajapaksa. Based on those disclosures, investigators summoned him to record a statement regarding the matter.

After spending nearly two hours at CID headquarters, Yoshitha Rajapaksa left the premises following the completion of his statement.

Responding to reports surrounding the investigation, Manoj Gamage, spokesperson for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, said Yoshitha Rajapaksa had not been summoned as a suspect and denied claims linking him to any vehicle-related wrongdoing.

"The claims circulating that Yoshitha Rajapaksa was summoned in connection with any form of vehicle misuse are completely false. No allegation whatsoever has been made against him regarding vehicle-related misconduct. He was called to the Criminal Investigation Department solely to provide a statement in relation to an investigation involving another individual connected to vehicle imports. That individual had, at one point, provided vehicles for election-related activities. Yoshitha Rajapaksa was requested to provide a statement as a witness concerning an issue relating to one of those vehicles," Gamage said.

Investigators say the wider operation has so far uncovered 18 illegally imported high-powered motorcycles and vehicles.

The probe has also revealed that a chassis number taken from a vehicle allegedly concealed inside a container carrying earth-moving equipment, including a backhoe loader and other machinery, had been used for the luxury jeep at the center of the investigation, ultimately leading authorities to seek a statement from Yoshitha Rajapaksa.