Police launch probe into Rs. 300 m ransom allegation by ‘Harak Kata’

Friday, 16 May 2025 04:58 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka Police yesterday confirmed that a formal inquiry has been initiated following the serious allegations made by underworld figure Nadun Chinthaka Wickremeratne, alias Harak Kata, who claimed that he was asked to pay a Rs. 300 million ransom by former Public Security Minister Tiran Alles and suspended IGP Deshabandu Thennakoon.

“I have been detained in Tangalle Prison at a cost of Rs. 10 million because I refused to pay Rs. 300 million to Tiran Alles and Deshabandu. Put that (in the media),” he claimed publicly on Wednesday, while being escorted from the Colombo Court Complex back into custody.

“There are so many things to say. I will reveal them after this,” he told reporters before being produced to the Court.

He also alleged that his continued detention costs Rs. 300 million per month.

“Rs. 300 million is being spent monthly for keeping me in Tangalle — just to serve Deshabandu’s interests,” he said while leaving in a highly escorted vehicle.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had extradited Harak Kata and Salindu Malshika alias Kudu Salindu from Madagascar in March 2023. Since then, he was held under the custody of the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID).

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