Lohan Ratwatte’s arrest : Five key facts from Police
The investigation into the unregistered luxury vehicle connected to former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte has revealed significant findings according to Sri Lanka Police
Here are five key facts surrounding the case:
1. Vehicle suspected to be assembled in Sri Lanka in Parts
Police suspect that the luxury vehicle was smuggled into the country in three separate parts and later assembled in Sri Lanka. This method is often used to avoid detection by authorities.
2. Altered Identification and No Customs Records
Investigators discovered that the vehicle’s chassis numbers had been tampered with, and it lacks any record in Sri Lankan Customs databases, suggesting that it bypassed formal import procedures.
3. Used by Former Minister Despite Claimed Ownership
Although former Minister Ratwatte stated that the vehicle belonged to his private secretary, who reportedly died by suicide recently, police findings suggest that Ratwatte himself had been using the vehicle regularly.
4. Lack of Cooperation from the Former Minister
Police have reported that Ratwatte did not fully cooperate during the investigation, complicating their efforts to uncover the vehicle’s origin and usage.
5. Unregistered and Untraceable Vehicle
The unregistered vehicle lacks a license plate, with no formal registration in Sri Lanka, raising further concerns about the legality of its use and importation.
This case, with its unusual vehicle origins and altered identification, has raised questions regarding its acquisition and usage. Further investigations are underway as authorities seek clarity on the full scope of the incident. Former Minister who was arrested this morning in Kandy is currently in Mirihana Police.
2024-10-31