Ex-justice minister’s son remanded over alleged Harakatta bribery scheme

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Rakitha Rajapakshe was arrested along with Sirit Abesinghe, the Horana organizer of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), and Aruna Sri Sathuranga, a former director of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. All three were produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate, who ordered they be remanded until July 3 – J. Sujeewakumar/ENCL

COLOMBO – Rakitha Rajapakshe, the son of former justice minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, arrested on Thursday (25) over allegations of accepting Rs 120 million as an advance from a Rs 500 million bribe sought to secure the release of suspected drug kingpin Nadun Chinthaka Wickremeratne, alias ‘Harakatta’, was ordered remanded until July 3 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.

‘Harakatta’ was extradited from Madagascar in 2023 with Interpol assistance.  Officials said Rajapakshe was taken into custody by the CIABOC on Thursday over allegations that he negotiated a Rs 500 million (US$1.5 million) payment to free Harakatta. The alleged transaction had taken place while his father was serving as justice and prison reforms minister.

The release was never carried out after the government of the time lost the 2024 elections, but by then Rajapakshe had allegedly received Rs 120 million (US$350,000) of the money, the Bribery Commission said in a statement.

Harakatta, described by police as one of the country’s most dangerous drug dealers and the head of an underworld criminal network, is facing prosecution and remains in judicial custody.

Rajapakshe was arrested along with Sirit Abesinghe, the Horana organizer of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), and Aruna Sri Sathuranga, a former director of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. Abesinghe and Sathuranga were also produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate, were remanded until July 3.

CIABOC Additional Director Ishani Rajapaksha and Deputy Director Anusha Sampanthanaperuma told court that the investigation began after an anonymous complaint that Rajapakshe, had allegedly demanded money from Harakatta’s wife, Madushani, to secure his safety while in Criminal Investigation Department (CID) custody and to arrange his transfer to another detention facility instead of Boossa Prison.

The commission told court that an initial demand of Rs 500 million was allegedly negotiated down to Rs 200 million after Madushani said she could not afford the amount. The suspects are accused of obtaining an advance payment of Rs 120 million.

Investigators alleged that the Rajapakshe, Abesinghe and Sathuranga travelled to Dubai on March 25, 2023, where they met Madushani and several associates at the residence of Nirmala Kamake, alias ‘Herby’” Immigration records confirming the overseas trip had been obtained, the court was told.

According to the prosecution, Madushani later handed over Rs 100 million at the Dubai residence, while the remaining Rs 20 million of the advance payment was subsequently delivered through a relative of the second suspect in the United Arab Emirates in dirhams.

The Bribery Commission further alleged that after Harakatta remained in CID custody despite the payments, Madushani requested the return of the money. The suspects allegedly refused, claiming the full agreed amount of Rs 200 million had to be paid before the promised transfer could be arranged.

Investigators said Rs 20 million was eventually returned through an intermediary, while the balance was not repaid.

The commission also informed court that statements had been recorded from Harakatta, Mithigama Ruwan and Nirmala Kamake, while Kamake had submitted a sworn affidavit supporting the investigation. Madushani, who is currently in Indonesia, has also cooperated with investigators and lodged a complaint with the Inspector General of Police, although she has not returned to Sri Lanka to give evidence in person.

During the bail hearing, counsel for the suspects sought their release on medical and other special grounds.

Counsel for Rajapakshe argued that he suffers from sleep apnoea and should be granted bail, adding that he is a practising lawyer with several pending court cases, while lawyers appearing for Abesinghe said he suffers from a serious heart condition and has undergone three stent procedures. Counsel for Sathuranga argued that the allegations against his client had not been clearly established.

Opposing bail, the Bribery Commission argued that a certificate filed under Section 149 of the Anti-Corruption Act was legally valid and that none of the medical conditions cited amounted to special circumstances warranting bail.

The commission also informed court that investigations have been extended to former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, alleging he had also travelled to Dubai in connection with the incident. It further alleged that Sathuranga had facilitated the transfer of the alleged bribe money to Sri Lanka through the informal hawala network.

After considering submissions from both sides, Magistrate Bodaragama held that the Section 149 certificate filed by the Bribery Commission was valid and ruled that no special grounds had been established to justify bail. He ordered all three suspects to be remanded until July 3.

Rajapakshe is the latest high-profile individual to be arrested in connection with corruption since leftist President Anura Kumara Dissanayake came to power in September 2024. He is not related to the once-powerful Rajapaksa political dynasty, which dominated Sri Lankan politics from 2005 to 2022, several of whose members are facing prosecution over allegations of money laundering and abuse of power

-ENCL

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