Court Freezes Rakitha's Bank Accounts & Vehicles

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe's son, Attorney-at-Law Rakitha Rajapakshe, has been barred from operating four bank accounts and three vehicles owned by him until February 5 next year, under an order issued by Colombo High Court Judge Lal Ranasinghe Bandara.

The order was made after considering submissions presented before the Colombo High Court by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

Under the Proceeds of Crime Act, No. 5 of 2025, the Bribery Commission is required to report to the High Court within seven days regarding the suspension of these assets.

Acting under the provisions of the law, the Bribery Commission had already taken steps on October 30 to suspend the assets belonging to attorney-at-law Rakitha Rajapakshe.

Rakitha Rajapakshe, together with Charith Abeysinghe and Varusha Hennadige Aruna Sri Chathuranga, was previously arrested by the Bribery Commission and produced before court over allegations of accepting a Rs. 120 million bribe from the wife of alleged drug trafficker "Harak Kata." The three suspects were subsequently remanded on June 25.

Investigators allege that the bribe was solicited to secure the release of "Harak Kata" while he was being held by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and facilitate his transfer to a secure detention facility.

After being remanded on several occasions, the three suspects were granted bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court on July 28.