The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) has initiated action to arrest Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera in connection with the alleged abduction of Ven. Wedinigama Wimalatissa Thera, the General Secretary of the Ape Janabala Party, in 2020. The abduction was allegedly carried out to prevent him from being appointed to the party’s National List MP position.

CCD officers visited “Sandaham Sewana” in Rajagiriya, where Rathana Thera is based, on the night of 7 August. However, he was not present, and his mobile phone had been switched off.

According to the CCD, former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon are also to be questioned over the incident. Investigators say the complaint specifically mentions Tennakoon’s alleged involvement in both the abduction and the manipulation of the National List appointment.

The incident occurred around five years ago, and two suspects have already been arrested. The first suspect, a 35-year-old resident of Kirimanagoda, Katugastota, was taken into custody on 20 July. Investigations revealed he is an ordained monk known as Ven. Nandaseeha Thera of Katugastota.

The complaint alleges that Wimalatissa Thera was abducted and forced to sign several documents under duress, paving the way for Rathana Thera to be named to the National List seat instead.

Investigations further revealed that the abduction was carried out jointly by Nandaseeha Thera and another suspect, and that phone network analysis shows Rathana Thera maintained unusual contact with the suspects from the time of the incident.

Police believe the abduction was part of a scheme to block Wimalatissa Thera’s appointment and install an alternative nominee.

Separately, the party’s leader, Saman Perera, and four others were shot dead near the Beliatta interchange of the Southern Expressway on 22 January 2024 in what police say was an underworld-related shooting.