Key witness who evaded Dematagoda Ruwan’s Rs. 1.5 Bn illegal asset case remanded

By Bhagya Silva  

A key witness who had been evading court warrants in the High Court case concerning the illegal acquisition of assets worth Rs. 1.5 billion linked to Dematagoda Ruwan was remanded by Colombo Chief Magistrate Tanuja Lakmali until March 17.  

The suspect, Inoka Lakmali, an accountant, was allegedly responsible for handling financial records related to the case. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the court that she is a key witness in the ongoing legal proceedings at the High Court regarding the seized properties of Dematagoda Ruwan, his wife, and his son, who are accused of acquiring wealth through illegal means.  

The CID further stated that despite being summoned repeatedly to testify, the witness had failed to appear before the court and had even threatened CID officers when they contacted her regarding the proceedings.  

Given her repeated absences, the High Court issued multiple warrants for her arrest. As she failed to comply, CID officers took her into custody today and produced her before the Magistrate’s Court.