Minister rejects political revenge allegations, says investigations date back to previous administrations
By The Pulseline News Desk
Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Ratnayake has tabled a list of 50 corruption, fraud and criminal cases involving former ministers, members of the Rajapaksa family, senior state officials, police officers and businesspeople, rejecting allegations that the Government is using law enforcement agencies to pursue political revenge against its opponents.
The 10-page document, presented in Parliament on Thursday (8), details investigations and legal proceedings relating to alleged financial irregularities, misuse of public funds, procurement controversies, murders, disappearances and attacks on journalists.
Ratnayake said the cases were not newly initiated by the present administration but originated from complaints and legal proceedings dating back to the 2015–2019 period.
He accused previous administrations of allowing investigations to be suppressed through political connections and influence, maintaining that investigators under the current Government had been given the freedom to carry out their duties without political interference.
The Minister said the Government was pursuing cases that had remained unresolved for years, rejecting claims that opposition politicians were being deliberately targeted.
The list includes cases involving former ministers Johnston Fernando, Wimal Weerawansa, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Basil Rajapaksa, Rajitha Senaratne, Ravi Karunanayake, Prasanna Ranatunga and Bandula Gunawardana.
It also covers investigations involving members of the Rajapaksa family, including Namal, Yoshitha, Gotabaya, Shiranthi, Rohitha, Chamal and Shashindra Rajapaksa.
Among the major cases referenced are the Central Bank bond transactions, the Krrish deal, the MiG aircraft procurement, the Divi Neguma funds case, the sil cloth distribution case and investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.
The document also includes proceedings concerning the murders of rugby player Wasim Thajudeen and journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge, the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda, and attacks on journalists Keith Noyahr and Upali Tennakoon.
The list contains cases at different stages, including investigations, pending proceedings, convictions, acquittals and appeals. The inclusion of a person or case does not, by itself, establish guilt.
The 50 cases listed in Parliament
Former ministers and senior political figures
1. Johnston Fernando – Alleged misuse of 153 Lanka Sathosa employees for political activities, reportedly causing a loss of Rs. 40 million. The document cites five High Court cases dating from 2016.
2. Wimal Weerawansa – Allegations of acquiring assets worth Rs. 75.4 million beyond his lawful income between 2010 and 2015. The document refers to a case filed in October 2017.
3. Mahindananda Aluthgamage – Alleged misuse of public funds in distributing 14,000 carrom boards during the 2014 presidential election, reportedly causing a loss of Rs. 53.1 million.
4. Basil Rajapaksa – Allegations concerning the expenditure of Rs. 2.991 billion in Divi Neguma funds to distribute roofing sheets during an election period. The document records a High Court acquittal and an appeal by the Attorney General.
5. Rajitha Senaratne – Allegations of causing financial losses to the Government through the leasing of the Modara Fisheries Harbour at an undervalued rate.
6. Ravi Karunanayake – Allegations relating to the 2016 Central Bank bond transactions and the occupation of a penthouse apartment without paying rent, in connection with Perpetual Treasuries.
7. Prasanna Ranatunga – A case involving an alleged demand for Rs. 64 million from a businessman in connection with approval to fill land in Thalahena, Negombo. The document records a two-year suspended prison sentence, a Rs. 25 million fine and an appeal.
8. Priyankara Jayaratne – Alleged misuse of Rs. 9.1 million belonging to the Civil Aviation Authority and the granting of five unlawful appointments.
9. A.H.M. Fowzie – Allegations involving the personal use of a Land Cruiser provided by the Netherlands to the Disaster Management Ministry. The document records a guilty plea, a suspended sentence and a fine.
10. Sarana Gunawardena – Allegations concerning unlawful vehicle rentals and misuse of public funds while serving as chairman of the Development Lotteries Board. The document records a conviction and sentence.
Rajapaksa family members and associated cases
11. Namal Rajapaksa – Allegations of money laundering involving Rs. 70 million reportedly received from India’s Krrish Group. The document refers to a Colombo High Court case filed in 2016.
12. Yoshitha Rajapaksa – Allegations concerning Rs. 234 million allegedly obtained unlawfully and used to establish Carlton Sports Network (CSN).
13. Gotabaya Rajapaksa – Allegations concerning the use of Rs. 33.9 million belonging to the Land Reclamation and Development Corporation for the construction of the D.A. Rajapaksa memorial in Medamulana.
14. Shiranthi Rajapaksa – Investigations concerning transactions through the Siriliya Saviya Foundation and a Defender vehicle allegedly connected to the investigation into Wasim Thajudeen’s murder.
15. Rohitha Rajapaksa – Allegations involving the misuse of public funds and state resources in connection with the SupremeSAT satellite project.
16. Chamal Rajapaksa – A complaint alleging that Ports and Shipping Ministry funds were allocated to projects without approval.
17. Shashindra Rajapaksa – Allegations of unlawfully distributing several acres of state land in the Mahiyanganaya area among associates.
18. Jaliya Wickramasuriya – Allegations of misappropriating US$332,000 during the purchase of a building for Sri Lanka’s embassy in Washington.
19. Udayanga Weeratunga – Allegations of financial fraud exceeding US$7 million in connection with the procurement of MiG-27 aircraft.
20. Nirupama Rajapaksa – Allegations concerning offshore assets and international bank accounts identified through the Panama and Pandora Papers. The document describes the matter as being at the investigation stage.
Senior government officials, police officers and financial figures
21. Lalith Weeratunga – The distribution of sil cloth using Rs. 600 million from Telecommunications Regulatory Commission funds during the 2014 presidential election period. The document refers to a conviction and subsequent appellate proceedings.
22. Anusha Palpita – Allegations concerning the unlawful use of Telecommunications Regulatory Commission funds in the sil cloth distribution case, with appellate proceedings referenced in the document.
23. Pujith Jayasundara – Allegations of failing to act on prior intelligence concerning the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. The document refers to an appeal before the Supreme Court.
24. Hemasiri Fernando – Allegations of serious neglect of official duties in connection with the failure to prevent the Easter Sunday attacks. The document refers to appellate proceedings.
25. Arjuna Mahendran – Allegations of improperly disclosing inside information and causing losses to the Government during the February 2015 Central Bank bond auction.
26. Arjun Aloysius – Allegations concerning financial losses to the Government through unlawful activities connected to the Central Bank bond transactions.
27. Kasun Palisena – Allegations of conspiracy and involvement in irregularities concerning Central Bank bond auctions.
28. Nalaka de Silva – Allegations of conspiring to assassinate former President Maithripala Sirisena and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
29. Jayantha Wickramaratne – Allegations involving the destruction of pages from a police information book connected to investigations into the killing of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge.
30. Anura Senanayake – Allegations of concealing evidence and falsely reporting the death of rugby player Wasim Thajudeen as a road accident.
Provincial councils, public institutions and other political figures
31. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake – Alleged irregularities amounting to Rs. 16 million in the purchase of school uniform material under the Uva Provincial Council.
32. S.M. Ranjith Samarakoon – Allegations of obtaining additional fuel while receiving official fuel allowances, causing losses to the Government. The document records a conviction and sentence.
33. Piyasena Gamage – Allegations involving the transfer of land belonging to the Board of Investment at an undervalued price.
34. Bandula Gunawardana – Allegations of causing substantial financial losses to the Government through rice imports conducted via Sathosa.
35. Mahinda Homagama – Allegations of unlawfully using Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment funds for promotional activities.
36. Rupavathy Ketheeswaran – Allegations concerning the unlawful distribution of dry rations and public funds while serving as a former district secretary in Kilinochchi.
37. Jayantha Fernando – Allegations involving the misappropriation of Rs. 15 million during the procurement of medical equipment for the Police Hospital.
38. Geetha Kumarasinghe – Legal proceedings concerning her holding parliamentary office while possessing dual citizenship. The document records a court decision that resulted in the loss of her parliamentary seat.
39. Rohitha Bogollagama – Allegations involving the misuse of Foreign Affairs Ministry funds and official authority.
40. Kumara Welgama – Allegations of causing a Rs. 3.2 million loss through an unlawful appointment to the chairmanship of the Sri Lanka Transport Board.
Murders, disappearances and other criminal investigations
41. Wasim Thajudeen murder – Proceedings concerning the death of the rugby player and allegations of destroying evidence connected to the killing.
42. Lasantha Wickrematunge murder – Investigations and legal proceedings concerning the killing of The Sunday Leader editor and allegations of concealing evidence.
43. Prageeth Eknaligoda disappearance – Proceedings concerning the alleged abduction and enforced disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda.
44. Lalith and Kugan disappearance – Investigations concerning the disappearance of Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganandan in Jaffna.
45. Keith Noyahr assault – Proceedings concerning the abduction and torture of journalist Keith Noyahr.
46. Upali Tennakoon assault – Proceedings concerning the assault and attempted killing of former Rivira editor Upali Tennakoon.
Other cases and investigations
47. Ravindra Samaraweera – Allegations of irregularities involving the sale of Government rice stocks to the private sector at reduced prices.
48. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe – A complaint alleging interference with Attorney General’s Department activities concerning the Avant-Garde investigation.
49. Nissanka Senadhipathi – Allegations concerning the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition through a private security company and financial losses reportedly amounting to Rs. 11.4 billion.
50. Thilan Wijesinghe – Allegations of violating anti-corruption legislation through the award of contracts for state development projects outside approved procedures.
Investigations and accountability
The document places a wide range of cases involving former political leaders, government officials and other prominent individuals under renewed public scrutiny.
However, the cases differ significantly in nature and legal status. Some concern alleged financial misconduct, while others involve serious criminal investigations. The document also identifies matters in which convictions, acquittals or appeals have been recorded.
Ratnayake’s presentation comes amid opposition allegations that investigations and legal proceedings against figures associated with previous administrations are politically motivated.
The Minister’s position is that the cases originated from earlier complaints and proceedings and that investigators should be permitted to pursue them without political interference.
The presentation of the list in Parliament does not itself determine the outcome of any investigation or court case. The legal status and final outcome of each matter remain dependent on the relevant investigative and judicial processes.
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