The Chief Prelate of the Kiri Vehera, Kobawaka Dhamminda, was summoned by Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to provide a statement regarding a property in Kataragama, as investigations into corruption linked to the Rajapaksa family continue.
The investigation revolves around a house built within the Kiri Vehera Temple premises during the presidency of Mahinda Rajapaksa. The prelate’s lawyer confirmed to the media that his client had previously provided a statement and was appearing before the CID once again to furnish additional details as requested.
The questioning of Dhamminda is part of a wider investigation into the Rajapaksa family’s financial dealings and illicit assets. The powerful Sinhala Buddhist clergy has long been among the staunchest allies of the Rajapaksa clam.
Alongside Dhamminda, the Basnayake Nilame of the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya, Dishan Gunasekara, was also summoned and questioned by the CID for nearly three hours regarding the same controversial property.
Gunasekara, speaking to the media after recording his statement, claimed that the house was not owned by Mahinda Rajapaksa. Instead, he revealed that it had been built for Rajapaksa by the late Chief Incumbent of the Kataragama Kiri Vehera Temple, Soratha.
“The house was built by a person named Wimalaratne and was funded by Ven. Soratha Thera,” Gunasekara stated, implying that Rajapaksa had not personally financed its construction but was still the intended beneficiary.
The investigation into this Kataragama property is part of a broader crackdown on financial crimes linked to the Rajapaksas.
