The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has arrested four suspects, including the son of former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, over the alleged solicitation of a Rs. 500 million bribe in connection with organised crime figure Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne.

In a statement issued today (25), CIABOC said Attorney-at-Law Rakhitha Nirmala Rajapakshe, son of the former Justice, Prisons and Constitutional Reforms Minister, was arrested alongside Charitha Wasantha Kumara Abeysinghe, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) organiser for the Horana electorate, and former Airports and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. directors Warusha Hannedige and Aruna Sri Chathuranga.

According to CIABOC, the arrests stem from an investigation into allegations that, in 2023, the suspects demanded a Rs. 500 million bribe from the wife of Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne, alias “Harak Kata”, while she was in Dubai.

The Commission alleged that the money was sought in exchange for securing the removal of Wickramaratne’s detention orders, transferring him from the Boossa High Security Prison to another prison, facilitating his release from investigations, and ensuring his protection from an alleged threat to his life.

CIABOC said the initial demand of Rs. 500 million was subsequently reduced to Rs. 200 million, with an advance payment of Rs. 120 million allegedly requested.

The four suspects were arrested on Thursday (25) and are scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

The allegations remain under investigation.