In a case that is already stirring public concern across Sri Lanka, a senior official linked to a major treasury fraud investigation has been found dead under suspicious circumstances at his home. Abeysinghe Mudiyanselage Ranga Nishantha Rajapaksa, a 50-year-old Assistant Director attached to the Department of Foreign Resources at the Ministry of Finance, was discovered lifeless near a banana tree in his garden late at night, with early indications suggesting suicide but several aspects of the incident remaining unclear.
According to police reports, Rajapaksa had told his daughter he was heading to the garden around 10 pm to clean it. Hours later, after his wife, a school teacher, returned home and noticed his absence, their daughter went to check on him. She found her father lying near a banana tree and immediately alerted her mother, who contacted authorities via emergency services. Officers from the Sri Lanka Police arrived at the scene and observed a significant bloodstain near the body.
Investigators reported that a small knife was found near Rajapaksa, who had sustained cuts on his left hand and both feet. However, authorities noted that the knife did not appear to be particularly sharp, raising questions about the nature of the injuries and the circumstances leading to his death. A magisterial inquest has been conducted, and the body has been sent for forensic examination, with a detailed report expected soon.
Rajapaksa had been suspended from his position amid investigations into a $2.5 million cyber theft involving treasury funds. Authorities allege that hackers used fraudulent email communications to redirect funds into unauthorized accounts, with initial findings suggesting that procedural negligence may have played a role in enabling the transfer. Rajapaksa is believed to have responded to one of the initial emails and was considered a key witness in the ongoing inquiry.
The Criminal Investigation Department had recorded his statements on three occasions, once during his active service and twice after his suspension. His personal computer was also seized as part of the investigation, and a court-imposed foreign travel ban had been placed on him. Despite his involvement, preliminary findings indicate that Rajapaksa was not considered a corrupt official and had cooperated fully with investigators.
Sources close to the inquiry suggest that he had been under significant emotional distress following his suspension. His sudden death, particularly given his role as a crucial witness, has intensified scrutiny and speculation. Investigators have acknowledged that while initial signs point to suicide, several unanswered questions remain, including the unusual method and the physical evidence at the scene.
Authorities are awaiting the forensic medical report, which is expected to provide definitive insights into the cause of death. Meanwhile, investigations into both the death and the treasury fraud case continue, with officials under pressure to clarify the circumstances surrounding a case that has now taken a deeply unsettling turn.
