Police seize luxury vehicles linked to ex-Minister’s relative in Kandy raid
By: Isuru Parakrama
October 21, Colombo (LNW): In a major development, the Kandy Crimes Investigation Division has seized two high-value luxury vehicles, including a BMW worth over Rs. 60 million, from the residence of a relative of former minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena in the Aniwatte area.
The vehicles were found concealed in the garage of the property during a police inspection.
The police report that the two vehicles—a BMW and a luxury SUV—were taken into custody after no one at the residence could provide legal documentation or ownership claims for them.
The raid forms part of a broader investigation into potential illegal activities surrounding the vehicles’ origins.
The homeowner, who runs a car dealership in the Mahayawa area of Kandy, is also reported to have held a senior position at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority during Abeygunawardena’s term as Minister of Ports.
Investigators suspect that the seized vehicles may have been unlawfully removed from the port, raising concerns about the potential misuse of authority during the former minister’s tenure.
The vehicles are now set to be transferred to the Government Analysts Department for further investigation, as police work to uncover the full extent of the suspected irregularities.
This latest operation signals a renewed focus on scrutinising high-level connections to potential illegal activities, particularly those involving high-ranking officials.
The seizure has sparked questions over the involvement of political figures in questionable dealings and underscores the growing effort by law enforcement agencies to clamp down on such activities.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities keen to determine whether more vehicles or illegal assets are linked to this network.
This raid is part of an intensified crackdown on high-profile cases of corruption, reflecting the government’s stated commitment to transparency and accountability in addressing illicit practices that have plagued certain sectors in recent years.
