The son of Kalutara District MP Jagath Vithana, Rasika Vithana, who was arrested by the Walana Anti-Corruption Unit for possessing an illegally imported SUV, has revealed to the police that he purchased the vehicle from Rochelle Melanie, the daughter of former Ports Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena.
Following his statement, police officers visited Rochelle Melanie’s residence in Nagoda, Kalutara, but she and her husband were not present at the time.
The arrest was made by the Panadura Walana Anti-Corruption Unit after a four-month-long investigation initiated based on a tip-off received by the Acting IGP. During surveillance, the unit tracked the vehicle operating in the Matugama area.
In a special operation conducted yesterday (19), the vehicle was seized along with Rasika Vithana.
Investigations have confirmed that the SUV was illegally imported and registered at the Department of Motor Vehicles using falsified information. Further inquiries revealed that it was later registered a second time under a private company owned by MP Jagath Vithana, using his name.
During interrogations, Rasika Vithana stated that he purchased the vehicle from former Minister Abeygunawardena’s daughter.
He is scheduled to be produced before the Mathugama Magistrate today.
