MP Withana claims son’s arrest is act of political victimization

By Yohan Perera   

Opposition MP Jagath Withana has claimed that the recent arrest of his son Rasika Withana over an alleged illegal vehicle assembly is an act of political victimization.   

Speaking to the Daily Mirror MP Withana insisted that the vehicle in question was legally acquired and that he possesses all necessary documentation to prove the legitimacy of the transaction.   

“We purchased the vehicle legally, and I have all the documents to support that. The transaction was conducted through a private bank, and I even have a no-objection letter from the bank. The vehicle was duly registered with the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT). It was only through the bank that I later learned the previous owner was MP Rohitha’s daughter,” Withana said.   
“Despite all this, my son was arrested. This is clearly political victimization,” he added.   

The MP further stated that he had informed the Anti-Corruption Unit that he was the one who purchased the vehicle and even offered to be arrested in his son’s place. “I told them to arrest me instead, but they went ahead and arrested my son.”   

Withana said he plans to raise a privilege issue in Parliament this week over the incident.   

Rasika Withana was taken into custody in connection with allegations of illegal vehicle assembly during the weekend.