Three Arrested by Bribery Commission Over Alleged Rs. 120 Million Bribery Scheme Linked to ‘Harak Kata’

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has arrested three individuals, including Attorney-at-Law Rakitha Rajapakshe, the son of former Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, over their alleged involvement in a major bribery scheme linked to underworld figure Nandun Chinthaka Wickramaratne, alias “Harak Kata.”

Also arrested were Charith Abeysinghe, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) organiser for the Horana electorate, and Aruna Sri Warushahennadige, a former Executive Director of Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka Limited.

According to CIABOC, the suspects are accused of soliciting and accepting a bribe from Madhushika Madhuwanthi, the wife of Harak Kata, while in Dubai in 2023.

Investigators allege that the suspects initially demanded Rs. 500 million in exchange for arranging the removal of detention orders against Harak Kata, preventing his alleged killing by police, facilitating his transfer from the high-security Boossa Prison to another prison, and securing relief from ongoing investigations and related legal proceedings.

The Bribery Commission further stated that the amount allegedly demanded was later reduced to Rs. 200 million, with an advance payment of Rs. 120 million reportedly requested and received.

CIABOC said the arrests were made based on these allegations and that further investigations are underway.

The three suspects are scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court for further legal proceedings.