The Kandy Division Criminal Investigation Department seized two unregistered luxury vehicles, a BMW and a Mitsubishi Jeep, yesterday (20), which were found concealed at the residence of former Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena’s son-in-law in Aniwatta.
Investigators revealed that Rohitha Abeygunawardena, the former Minister of Ports, allegedly smuggled these vehicles, valued at nearly six crores, out of the port without paying the required duties and had them hidden at his son-in-law’s house.
Rohitha Abeygunawardena’s daughter is married to the son of a prominent car dealer in Kandy. During his time as minister, his son-in-law was part of his personal staff.
The investigation began following a public tip-off to the emergency hotline 1997, reporting suspicious vehicles hidden in the Aruppola area. Acting on this information, Chief Inspector Tilak Samaranayake, under the guidance of Senior Superintendent of Police Anuruddha Bandara, led a raid on the property.
Upon inspection, police confirmed that the house belonged to Rohitha Abeygunawardena’s son-in-law, who was unable to provide any legal documentation or registration for the vehicles. As a result, the police recorded his statement and took the two vehicles into custody.
Further investigations are underway. This incident comes just a week after police seized an unregistered BMW belonging to former Minister Johnston Fernando, which had been parked with a garage number at the Hilton car park. The CID stated that Fernando is currently evading authorities to avoid providing a statement.
