The owner of the Hambantota-based ‘Bird Park’, Ajith Gallage, has gone missing amid a major police investigation into the concealment of a stock of illegally imported high-end motorcycles worth over Rs. 250 million, police said.
Police said a court warrant has been issued for Gallage’s arrest, but the suspect is believed to have fled his residence and gone into hiding. A special operation has been launched by the Police Central Investigation Division to track him down.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the suspect had allegedly imported the motorcycles nearly five years ago under the guise of bringing in bird feed. Among the seized vehicles is a luxury model valued at approximately Rs. 15 million.
The racket is believed to have been carried out with the backing of several prominent local politicians and a network of corrupt customs officials. Investigators also suspect that Gallage maintained close ties with members of the Rajapaksa family.
The probe is being conducted under the supervision of Senior DIG Ranmal Kodituwakku and is led by Police Officer Kamal Ariyawanse.
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