By Ruwan Weerakoon Investigations Desk
(Lanka-e-News -30 Oct 2026,5.00 P.M.)The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has frozen four bank accounts holding about Rs. 40 million, along with two luxury vehicles, belonging to Attorney-at-Law Rakitha Rajapaksa, son of former Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa. The move widens the hunt for the missing Rs. 120 million bribe linked to notorious drug trafficking suspect "Harak Kata."
Commission sources said investigators have so far been unable to recover any of the money, prompting a fresh asset investigation under the Offences against Property Act. That inquiry produced the freeze orders on the two cars and four accounts reportedly belonging to Rakitha Rajapaksa.
The investigation stems from the attempt to rescue "Harak Kata" while he was held in Criminal Investigation Department (CID) custody. The Commission had earlier acted over a Rs. 120 million bribe allegedly obtained from the suspect's wife to secure his release from CID custody and have him transferred to a secure prison.
Rakitha Rajapaksa, Charith Abeysinghe and Warusha Hannadige were arrested, produced in court and remanded, before being released on bail by the Colombo Magistrate's Court.
Colombo High Court Judge Lal Bandara Ranasinghe on Friday ordered that three revision applications filed by the CIABOC, seeking to revoke the bail granted to the three suspects, be taken up for hearing on February 9.
The applications relate to an alleged incident in which the suspects are accused of soliciting and obtaining a Rs. 120 million bribe from the wife of an organised criminal in exchange for facilitating relief to him.
The Commission asked the High Court to set aside the Magistrate's Court decision to grant bail. In its petition, it argued that the order was legally flawed and that the Magistrate had failed to properly apply the statutory provisions on bail. It sought a review of the legality and propriety of the order.
When the applications were taken up, Assistant Director Anusha Sambandapperuma, appearing for the CIABOC, told the court that the Commission would not pursue the interim relief sought on that day.
After considering the submissions, the Judge directed the respondents to file their objections by November 14 and the petitioners by November 28. The hearing of the three applications is fixed for February 9.
Investigative officers visited the Rajagiriya residential complex where Rakitha Rajapaksa lives on several occasions, hoping to notify him of the freeze in person, but he was not at home each time. The Commission said the notice was ultimately served on his wife.
Commission sources said the four frozen accounts alone hold close to Rs. 40 million.
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by (2026-10-30 11:45:13)
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