-By LeN Political Correspondent
(Lanka-e-News -10.July.2025, 11.00 PM) In a curious turn of events, former minister and controversial political figure Wimal Weerawansa, often described as the “elder brother in arms” of SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa, reportedly fell ill during a session with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), prompting speculation and concern.
Weerawansa had been summoned to the CID headquarters yesterday morning to provide a formal statement in relation to a complaint lodged by Western Province Governor Haniff Yusuf. The matter pertained to a sensitive customs-related allegation involving shipping containers that Weerawansa had recently referenced in public.
According to sources familiar with the proceedings, the ex-minister arrived at the CID as instructed and began giving his statement shortly after 10:00 a.m. However, after approximately an hour and a half of questioning, Weerawansa abruptly informed officers that he needed immediate medical attention and promptly exited the premises, reportedly in search of a doctor.
CID sources confirmed that Weerawansa was not under arrest and that he had appeared voluntarily, albeit on the basis of a formal summons.
The investigation stems from a statement made by Weerawansa earlier this year, in which he alleged that a set of shipping containers released by Sri Lanka Customs in January had been imported by a business entity linked to Governor Haniff Yusuf. These remarks, broadcast across several media platforms, prompted the Governor to lodge a formal complaint with the CID, alleging defamation and dissemination of false information.
As a result, CID officials summoned Weerawansa to verify the basis of his claims and determine whether there was substance to the allegations or whether they amounted to politically motivated slander.
It is understood that Weerawansa stood by his earlier assertions during the initial part of his statement. However, before the session could conclude, he allegedly exhibited signs of physical discomfort and left the building, stating his need for medical consultation.
Weerawansa’s sudden exit has raised eyebrows within political and legal circles. While his camp insists that the ex-minister was genuinely unwell and had no intention of evading the inquiry, others have suggested the possibility of a strategic retreat.
One senior CID officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, remarked, “It’s not unusual for political figures to suddenly develop health concerns when under questioning. Whether it is coincidental or otherwise, it will not deter the investigation.”
The incident has also reignited public debate about accountability among former powerbrokers. Weerawansa, once a vocal lieutenant of the Rajapaksa regime and still seen as a staunch Sinhala nationalist firebrand, has reinvented himself in recent years as an anti-corruption crusader, often taking aim at both allies and adversaries.
Observers note, however, that his recent activism often coincides with ongoing legal scrutiny surrounding figures close to him, leading some to question his motives.
Though the CID questioning was unrelated to the Rajapaksa family directly, the incident comes at a time when Namal Rajapaksa and several other members of the former ruling clan are reportedly under increased surveillance and scrutiny from Sri Lankan investigative bodies and international observers.
The timing of Weerawansa’s interrogation – and his physical collapse mid-statement – is unlikely to be seen as coincidental in political circles where optics and theatrics frequently intersect with legal affairs.
At the time of publication, there has been no official comment from Weerawansa’s political party or personal office regarding the nature of his illness or whether he will return to complete his statement in the coming days.
However, sources close to the CID have confirmed that he is expected to be re-summoned if necessary, and that “the investigation remains very much active.”
As Sri Lanka continues to navigate a fragile political landscape, the incident serves as yet another reminder that the country’s corridors of power are still thick with intrigue, manoeuvre—and occasionally, mysterious bouts of illness.
-By LeN Political Correspondent
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by (2025-07-10 18:41:57)
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