Harak Kata bribery probe expands as investigators examine alleged links involving lawyers, politicians and senior police officers.
Harak Kata bribery probe investigations have intensified, with further arrests of lawyers, politicians and senior police officers now considered highly possible in the coming days.
The developments follow new evidence linked to a massive bribery network allegedly involving detained organized crime leader Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne, also known as “Harak Kata.”
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are jointly investigating the allegations.
The wider probe began after three individuals were arrested and remanded last week, including lawyer Rakitha Rajapaksa, former Horana organizer of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Charith Abeysinghe, and a former director of the Civil Aviation Authority.
Investigators are examining alleged incidents in which large sums of money were exchanged to influence official decisions concerning Nadun Chinthaka and to secure special privileges for him.
Financial transactions, witness statements and alleged links between state officials and organized criminals are now under intense scrutiny.
It is reported that evidence has already been obtained suggesting that several prominent lawyers and senior police officers received massive sums amounting to crores of rupees.
The money was allegedly provided to ensure the suspect’s safety, influence the legal process and prevent him from being killed while in state custody.
Allegations have also surfaced that even minor privileges, including allowing the detained suspect to make prohibited video calls with his child, were facilitated through these payments.
Authorities are further investigating whether the suspect’s fear for his life while in detention was exploited by certain individuals for financial gain.
Investigators are also probing claims that a politician obtained a large sum by saying he could influence senior state officials.
They are also examining allegations that certain police officers attempted to intimidate witnesses and other relevant persons who knew about the transactions.
When Law’s Guardians Break the Law
This latest revelation surrounding the bribery network allegedly built around underworld figure Nadun Chinthaka exposes a grave crisis in Sri Lanka’s justice delivery process and law enforcement institutions.
This is not merely about the conduct of one criminal. It reflects a cancer that appears to have spread from the top to the bottom of the state mechanism.
The Triangle of Crime, Politics and Law
The alleged involvement of senior police officers, prominent lawyers and politicians shows how organized criminals may have reached and influenced the highest layers of society.
When those sworn to uphold the law become protectors of criminals for money, the rule of law itself is deeply disgraced.
Life Protection Turned Into a Commodity
The most disturbing aspect is the allegation that a suspect in state custody had to pay crores of rupees in bribes to police officers to protect his life.
This suggests that the culture of suspects being killed “while trying to escape” or “while being shown weapons” may have become a business model for corrupt officials to extract bribes.
Privileges and Security Failures
The claim that even simple matters such as prohibited video calls required massive payments reveals the weakness of security systems inside prisons and detention centres.
If any law can be bent with money, ordinary people cannot place trust in state institutions.
The Threat Ahead
The allegation that certain police officers themselves worked to intimidate witnesses who knew about these transactions confirms the dangerous power of this network.
If CIABOC and the CID do not complete these investigations independently and impartially, and punish wrongdoers regardless of status, Sri Lanka will struggle to prevent itself from becoming a lawless state ruled by the underworld.
