(Lanka-e-News -02.Nov.2024, 9.20 pm) Former Minister Lohan Ratwatte was taken into custody 31st October afternoon on charges of using a luxury vehicle illegally imported and assembled in Sri Lanka. He was remanded until November 7.
Ratwatte was arrested that afternoon in Kandy, Katugastota, by the Mirihana Police and was brought before the Acting Magistrate of Nugegoda from the Mirihana Police Station.
The Mirihana Police launched the investigation after receiving information that a luxury vehicle without a license plate was parked in the three-story house of Shashi Prabha Ratwatte, wife of former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, in Embuldeniya, Mirihana. Police visited the residence on the 26th, following a report to the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court, to inspect the vehicle.
It was revealed that the vehicle was brought to the house by Ratwatte’s personal secretary about three weeks ago and parked in the garage. This personal secretary was later found dead from gunshot wounds at Ratwatte’s Katugastota office on the 20th.
The police subsequently recorded statements from former State Minister Ratwatte and his wife regarding the vehicle. After considerable effort, the police managed to bring the luxury vehicle, which lacked a license plate and key, to the Mirihana Police Station.
The Government Analyst’s Department later inspected the vehicle, discovering it had been illegally assembled from three parts imported from abroad through Customs.
Former Minister Johnston Fernando was previously caught using a similar illegal vehicle and faced charges, though he was recently released on bail. The incidents reveal not only theft but the use of unauthorized luxury vehicles by former ministers.
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by (2024-11-02 16:13:29)
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