CIABOC moves to freeze luxury house in ‘Harak Kata’ bribery case

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) requested a Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court on Monday to place a freeze on a luxury property belonging to the first person accused in a suspected Rs. 120 million bribery scheme connected to infamous drug trafficker Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne, known as 'Harak Kata'.

The disclosure was made during a motion presented by CIABOC to Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama. Additionally, CIABOC informed the court that transactions involving two vehicles owned by the wife and father of the third suspect, Waruna Handige Aruna Chathuranga, have been barred. CIABOC also stated that four bank accounts and numerous luxury vehicles held by the second suspect, Rakitha Rajapakshe, son of former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, have been frozen under the Proceeds of Crime Act, No. 5 of 2025.

The asset-seizing actions are being undertaken as per the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act. CIABOC noted that comprehensive reports would be submitted within 72 hours and requested a subsequent hearing to update the court on the investigation's progress. The Chief Magistrate subsequently set the case for December 8. The inquiry revolves around allegations that Rs.

120 million was solicited and received from the wife of alleged organized criminal and drug trafficker Nandun Chinthaka Wickramaratne, alias 'Harak Kata', in exchange for facilitating his activities. Abeysinghe, Rajapakshe, and Chathuranga were previously ordered to remain in custody pending the investigation and are now at large on bail.