The son-in-law of former minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena has been remanded until 8 August, while the son of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Jagath Vithana, who was arrested in connection with the same case, was released on bail by the Matugama Magistrate’s Court.

Rasika Withana, the son of MP Jagath Vithana, was arrested yesterday by officers of the Panadura Walana Anti-Vice Unit in Matugama. He was taken into custody while driving a jeep suspected to have been illegally imported and registered using forged documents. He has been remanded until 1 August.

Police launched the operation based on intelligence received by the Acting Inspector General of Police concerning a jeep allegedly registered with forged details. Following a tip-off that the vehicle was being driven in the Matugama area, officers carried out a special raid and arrested the suspect.

Investigations have revealed that the vehicle had been registered with the Department of Motor Traffic using falsified documents. It was later re-registered under a private company owned by MP Jagath Withana and had been in use by his son at the time of the arrest.

During questioning, Rasika Vithana reportedly claimed he purchased the jeep from Roshelle Melanie Abeygunawardena, daughter of Rohitha Abeygunawardena.