Sri Lanka’s Police, Customs, and Motor Transport Department have launched a coordinated crackdown to recover over a hundred unregistered luxury vehicles used by former government elites and political figures. This sweeping operation, which stems from reports of vehicles illegally imported or assembled to dodge hefty customs duties, aims to reclaim public assets that have allegedly been misused for years by influential figures.
According to officials, these high-end cars—many believed to have been imported as parts to avoid registration fees—were used by former ministers and their affiliates, sometimes with altered or fake number plates. Police and customs records are being combed through to uncover evidence, with the focus not only on the vehicles but also on connections to the auto assembly industry, suggesting possible insider involvement. Law enforcement suspects that many of these cars are being hidden or parked in secure locations to avoid detection.
In a high-profile move, several leads are being actively pursued, including reports from the public that have already led to significant recoveries. Among these, police recently seized a BMW believed to have been used by ex-minister Johnston Fernando, and a luxury car linked to former minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena’s son-in-law in Kandy. Similarly, a vehicle connected to former state minister Lohan Ratwatte was found in his wife’s residence in Mirihana and in a garage at a housing complex in Katugastota.
The Police Headquarters has requested that any further tips on hidden or unregistered government vehicles be reported immediately, emphasizing that public cooperation has been instrumental in tracing some vehicles so far. Information verified through police investigation will lead to judicial proceedings, with the aim of holding responsible individuals accountable for what the police call “a gross misuse of government property.”
