Rohan Weliwita and Nishantha Ranatunga also arrested

Four persons including former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son Yoshitha Rajapaksa, CSN chairman Rohan Weliwita and former CEO of the channel Nishantha Ranatunga have been arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) today.

Rajapaksa was arrested following questioning carried out by the FCID earlier today at the Sri Lanka Navy Headquarters in Colombo and is expected to be produced at the Kaduwela’s Magistrate’s Court.

He was summoned to give a statement regarding financial irregularities at the Carlton Sports Network (CSN), a private company allegedly linked to him.

Meanwhile CSN chairman Rohan Weliwita, former CEO Nishantha Ranatunga and another individual have also been arrested by the FCID in connection with the case.

Weliwita, who is former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s media coordinating secretary, was taken in for questioning by the FCID this morning.

He was questioned regarding alleged financial irregularities at the television channel.
Ranatunga, the former Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), was the Chief Executive Officer of SCN for a brief period and has also been charged in connection with the case.
They are also to be produced at the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court today.

FCID arrests Yoshitha Rajapaksa

Yoshitha Rajapaksa, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son was arrested by the FCID a short while ago, Navy Spokesman Captain Akram Alevi said.

He said Mr. Rajapaksa would be produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate soon. A few days ago, Chief Government Whip Gayantha Karunatilleke told Parliament that the Navy would take action against Lieutenant Rajapaksa based on the advice of the President's office in the wake of the recommendations made by the tripartite committee.

He also said that some Rs.16 million had been spent by the state for his training in Britain and Ukraine.