It has been revealed that the detention of infamous criminal Nadun Chinthaka, who was arrested by the Terrorism Investigation Division and held under special detention orders under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, costs nearly 10 million rupees of public money each month.
Nadun Chinthaka, also known as “Harak Kata,” has strong connections with powerful politicians, security chiefs, and police officers. He has caused a horrific wave of crime across the country and is currently being kept in solitary confinement at the Tangalle Old Prison for ongoing investigations. Reportedly, he is the only detainee at the facility.
Sources say that about 87 security personnel, including 63 police officers and 24 STF officers, have been deployed for his protection. It is estimated that each officer’s monthly expenditure is around 870,000 rupees. In addition, the cost of food is about 1,150 rupees per person for three meals a day. Assuming 50 officers are on duty per shift, the monthly food cost alone is around 1.61 million rupees.
Internal sources also revealed that the total cost, including water bills and the expenses for at least four vehicles used to transport him to Galle and Colombo courts each month, adds up to nearly 10 million rupees.
The sources point out that the security forces must improve the management of such high-risk criminals. They also emphasize the need for the country to handle future investigations—critical to national security—with greater efficiency and attention.
