-By: A Staff Correspondent
(Lanka-e-News -15.Jan.2025, 5.50 PM) Sri Lankan politics, much like its roads, is full of twists, turns, and potholes, but few stories can rival the wild ride of SJB MP Jagath Vithana. From breaking into a Navy armory in 1983 to running the largest private bus empire in the country, his journey is part action-thriller, part comedy, and part cautionary tale.
Now a prominent figure in the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Jagath’s rise to power is riddled with questions, controversies, and enough eyebrow-raising incidents to make even the most seasoned political observers gasp. Let’s dive into the story of the man who once raided a Navy armory, now owns a fleet of buses, and has turned his political clout into a lucrative empire.
The year was 1983, a time of unrest in Sri Lanka, with the anti-Tamil riots rocking Trincomalee. Amidst the chaos, young Jagath Vithana, then serving in the Navy, made his move—though not in the way one might expect of a serviceman.
According to reports, Jagath decided he had seen enough of the Navy’s disciplined life. But instead of a quiet resignation, he allegedly broke into the Navy’s armory, walked away with weapons, and vanished into the ether. Whether this was a bold act of rebellion or a misguided attempt at vigilante justice, no one knows for sure. What we do know is that Jagath soon left for the Middle East, where he began the next chapter of his life.
Jagath spent several years in the Middle East, working hard and saving every penny. Upon his return to Sri Lanka, he began dabbling in money lending—a highly lucrative, albeit controversial, business. It wasn’t long before he launched Jagat Investments, a company that quickly grew to prominence.
But where did the money come from? How did Jagath, a former Navy recruit, amass the capital needed to start a successful investment firm? These are questions that remain unanswered, but Jagath’s financial acumen (or luck) didn’t stop there.
He soon turned his attention to Sri Lanka’s private bus industry, and in a few short years, he had become the largest private bus owner in the country. His empire now includes:
A sprawling bus yard where his fleet is maintained.
A private petrol station for refueling his buses.
An in-house repair shop to keep his vehicles running smoothly.
Jagath’s buses are ubiquitous on Sri Lanka’s roads, but his empire’s rapid growth has sparked allegations of shady practices. Critics claim that many of his buses have tampered chassis numbers and recycled registrations. If true, this could mean a significant loss of revenue for the government—and a major scandal for Jagath.
As if the allegations surrounding his bus empire weren’t enough, Jagath has also been accused of abusing parliamentary vehicle permits. According to sources, he allegedly bought several permits from other politicians, including one from former Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera.
While buying and selling vehicle permits is technically illegal, it’s an open secret in Sri Lankan politics. What sets Jagath apart is the sheer scale of his alleged dealings—rumors suggest he acquired 12 vehicles using permits that weren’t his. The question now is: did he pay the necessary taxes, or did he use loopholes to evade them?
If Jagath is found guilty of tax evasion, it could open a Pandora’s box of investigations into other politicians who have engaged in similar practices.
Jagath’s political career is as controversial as his business dealings. As an MP representing the SJB, he has been vocal in his criticism of the NPP government, particularly when it comes to policies affecting the private bus industry. Recently, he demanded that the government halt plans to expand public transportation, arguing that it would hurt private operators like himself.
But Jagath’s critics see this as a blatant conflict of interest. By opposing public transportation initiatives, he is effectively safeguarding his own profits at the expense of commuters.
In addition to his attacks on the NPP government, Jagath has been accused of orchestrating the ouster of Rajitha Senaratne from the SJB. This power play has reportedly created rifts within the party, with some members accusing Jagath of prioritizing personal ambition over party unity.
Jagath’s financial dealings have also caught the attention of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and other financial regulators. Critics are calling for a full investigation into Jagat Investments, particularly its:
Source of initial capital.
Interest rates charged to borrowers.
Potential links to money laundering.
Given the scale of his operations, many believe that Jagath’s empire is too big to have been built without bending—or outright breaking—the rules.
While Jagath’s antics provide endless fodder for political gossip, they’ve also made him a subject of ridicule among Colombo’s diplomatic community. One foreign envoy, speaking on condition of anonymity, described Jagath as “the ultimate Sri Lankan politician: part businessman, part power broker, and all scandal.”
Another quipped, “If Jagath Vithana ran his buses the way he runs his political career, Sri Lanka’s roads would be even more chaotic than they already are.”
Perhaps the most glaring irony in Jagath’s story is his criticism of the NPP government for alleged corruption and mismanagement. For a man whose own empire is rife with unanswered questions, his moral posturing feels more than a little disingenuous.
Whether it’s his bus registrations, his vehicle permits, or his political maneuvers, Jagath seems to have mastered the art of operating in the gray areas of the law.
At the heart of the Jagath Vithana saga is a broader issue: the lack of accountability in Sri Lankan politics. If politicians like Jagath can build empires without facing scrutiny, what hope is there for transparency and good governance?
Activists and watchdog groups are now calling for:
1. A forensic audit of Jagat Investments.
2. An investigation into his bus empire, including the allegations of tampered registrations.
3. A probe into his vehicle permit dealings, with a focus on tax compliance.
Despite the serious allegations against him, Jagath’s story has an undeniable comedic edge. From his naval armory escapade to his outlandish political statements, he has a knack for turning even the most scandalous situations into laughable anecdotes.
But beneath the humor lies a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and ambition. Jagath Vithana may be a larger-than-life figure, but his story is a reflection of the systemic issues plaguing Sri Lanka’s political and economic landscape.
Jagath Vithana’s rise from armory raider to bus tycoon to SJB MP is a story that could only happen in Sri Lanka. Whether he’s a visionary entrepreneur, a cunning opportunist, or a little bit of both, one thing is certain: Jagath is a man who knows how to play the game.
But as the calls for transparency grow louder, the question remains: will Jagath’s empire stand the test of scrutiny, or will it crumble under the weight of its own contradictions?
For now, all we can do is sit back, grab some popcorn, and enjoy the show. Just make sure you’re not on one of his buses when the wheels come off.
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by (2025-01-15 12:27:19)
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