The Polonnaruwa Magistrate’s Court took decisive action on Tuesday, ordering the freezing of all assets belonging to Inspector R.M. Rathnayake, the former Officer-in-Charge of the Welikanda Police, who is wanted in connection with a cattle smuggling case.
Rathnayake, who remains on the run, is accused of orchestrating the return of smuggled dairy cows to traffickers, despite having initially seized the animals in September 2024.
Rathnayake, who is currently assigned to the Pujapitiya Police, was issued an arrest warrant on March 11 after failing to report for duty. According to the Anuradhapura Division Criminal Investigation Unit, he reported sick leave and left the area, evading authorities ever since.
The case began when 20 dairy cows, transported without proper permits, were confiscated by Rathnayake during his tenure as Welikanda OIC on September 23, 2024. The cows were brought before the Polonnaruwa court, which ordered their transfer to a state-owned livestock farm. However, an anonymous tip later alleged that Rathnayake had arranged for the animals to be returned to the smugglers, sparking a criminal investigation.
Following the complaint, the Inspector General of Police assigned the Criminal Investigation Unit in Anuradhapura to probe the allegations. Two individuals have been arrested and brought to court in connection with the case, but Rathnayake remains at large.
On Tuesday (25), as proceedings continued in court, Rathnayake failed to appear, prompting Magistrate Anwar Sadak to take further action. Citing Section 60(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, the magistrate ordered the seizure of all of Rathnayake’s movable and immovable assets, which were placed under court custody. Additionally, the Central Bank Governor was instructed to freeze any local and foreign bank accounts held by the suspect. A travel ban was also imposed, and Rathnayake has been ordered to appear before the court by April 29.
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Welikanda ex-OIC wanted for cattle smuggling scandal
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