Former Chairman of the Kataragama Pradeshiya Sabha, Ashoka Wickramasinghe, has been arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in connection with a controversial property in Kataragama allegedly linked to the family of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Wickramasinghe is accused of preparing fraudulent documents related to a luxurious 12-room house built on reservation land near the Menik Ganga in Kataragama. The CID suspects the property belongs to the Rajapaksa family, although both former Presidents Mahinda and Gotabaya Rajapaksa have denied any involvement.

The investigation, which was initially launched during the Yahapalana Government, was reportedly halted after Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected President. However, the probe was recently revived, with CID officers questioning Gotabaya Rajapaksa on 17 January 2025, and his nephew Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of Mahinda Rajapaksa, on 3 January. Both have denied any association with the property.

Despite Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s denial, electricity bills for the building were reportedly issued under the name “G. Rajapaksa.” Furthermore, it has emerged that the mansion, constructed before 2010, was built using the labour of a military group. A member of the Sri Lankan Navy, assigned to the security detail of Yoshitha Rajapaksa, has allegedly been occupying the premises since its completion.