Three individuals, including the son of former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa, have been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption over an alleged Rs. 120 million bribery transaction connected to organised criminal figure Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne, also known as ‘Harak Kata’.
The suspects arrested on June 25 were identified as lawyer Rakhitha Nirmala Rajapaksa, son of former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa; Samagi Jana Balawegaya Horana Electoral Organizer Charitha Wasantha Kumara Abeysinghe; and former Director of Airports and Aviation Services Sri Lanka Limited Aruna Sri Chathuranga.
According to official media release No. 2026/070 issued by the Bribery Commission, the arrests relate to an alleged financial transaction that took place in Dubai in 2023. The commission stated that the suspects were connected to an alleged demand for money from Madushika Madhuwanthi, the wife of ‘Harak Kata’, who is currently in the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department.
The Bribery Commission stated that the individuals allegedly initially demanded Rs. 500 million as a bribe, later reducing the amount to Rs. 200 million. The commission further stated that an advance payment of Rs. 120 million was received in connection with the alleged arrangement.
The alleged transaction was linked to promises made regarding interventions on behalf of ‘Harak Kata’, according to the commission’s statement. The claims included preventing harm to his life, lifting detention orders, transferring him from the Galle Boossa High Security Prison to another prison facility, and making arrangements related to his release from investigations.
The commission stated that investigations revealed the alleged request for money and the receipt of the advance payment took place in the state of Dubai in 2023. The alleged demands were reportedly made in exchange for the proposed interventions involving ‘Harak Kata’s’ detention and legal circumstances.
The three arrested suspects, Rakhitha Rajapaksa, Charitha Abeysinghe and Aruna Chathuranga, are scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court for further legal proceedings.
The arrests follow an investigation by the Bribery Commission into allegations surrounding the financial transaction and claims that money was sought by individuals who allegedly represented their ability to influence decisions related to the detention and circumstances of ‘Harak Kata’.
The commission’s statement identified the matter as involving alleged bribery offences connected to attempts to intervene in the case of a person held by the Criminal Investigation Department. Further legal action will proceed through the courts following the production of the suspects.
