By Roy Denish.
Three suspects, including Rakhitha Rajapakshe, were remanded over an alleged Harak Kata bribery deal involving a demanded Rs. 500 million bribe.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — The Harak Kata bribery case widened on Thursday after the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption arrested three prominent suspects accused of soliciting and accepting money from the underworld figure’s family.
The arrests relate to a 2023 incident in which the suspects allegedly obtained money from Madhushika Madhuwanthi, the wife of Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne, widely known as Harak Kata, while he remained in Criminal Investigation Department custody under detention orders.
After being taken into custody, the three suspects were produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. The court ordered that they be remanded until July 3.
Investigators allege that the group initially demanded a bribe of 500 million rupees before the sum was negotiated down to 200 million rupees. An advance payment of 120 million rupees from the agreed amount was then allegedly demanded and accepted.
In return, the suspects reportedly promised to protect Harak Kata’s life, revoke the detention orders imposed on him, arrange his transfer from the Boossa High-Security Prison in Galle to another facility, and secure his release from continuing investigations and connected legal proceedings.
Those remanded are Rakhitha Nirmal Rajapakshe, an attorney and son of former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe; Charitha Vasantha Kumara Abeysinghe, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya organizer for the Horana Constituency; and Warushahennadige Aruna Sri Chathuranga, former Director of Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka Ltd.
A leaked audio recording has also surfaced and is reportedly being treated as evidence linked to the alleged bribery negotiations.
An audio recording purportedly linked to the alleged bribery negotiations has also surfaced. The recording, which has not been independently authenticated by The Morning Telegraph, can be heard here on YouTube.
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