By: Ovindi Vishmika
October 05, Colombo (LNW): The long-dormant murder investigation into the death of former Havelock Sports Club rugby captain Wasim Thajudeen has once again captured the public spotlight, as fresh revelations and “breakthroughs” raise both hope and skepticism. Thajudeen’s death in May 2012, initially ruled a car accident, has come to symbolize the perilous intersection of power, crime, and impunity in Sri Lanka.
The Incident That Refused to Stay Buried
On the humid pre-dawn of 17 May 2012, Thajudeen was found inside a charred car near the Shalika Grounds in Narahenpita. The initial police report attributed the incident to a drunk-driving crash. But friends and supporters found the narrative implausible: Thajudeen was known to abstain from alcohol, and the visible damage to the vehicle seemed inconsistent with a high-impact crash.
For years, the case remained dormant, widely perceived as another instance of state negligence in high-profile deaths.
First Reinvestigations & Forensic Reversals
When the government changed in 2015 under President Maithripala Sirisena, the Thajudeen case was revived. The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) took over and submitted to court that the death was not accidental. Key findings included broken teeth, fractured pelvic bones, a pierced neck suggesting use of a sharp instrument, and deep cuts on leg muscles — all inconsistent with a traffic accident.
The CID also found contradictions between the original post-mortem report and the government analyst’s report. On 27 July 2015, the CID formally informed the Colombo Additional Magistrate that Thajudeen’s death was a homicide. In August 2015, his body was exhumed for a second post-mortem led by Dr. Ajith Tennakoon and others, which revealed missing bones in the chest and neck areas and overwhelming evidence of torture and blunt-force trauma.
In February 2016, a Colombo court officially ruled the death a murder and directed the CID to arrest suspects, signaling a new phase in one of the country’s most controversial criminal cases.
Obstacles, Cover-Ups & Political Overtones
While the legal framework was laid for prosecution, tangible progress was slow. Evidence was allegedly suppressed or lost, witnesses intimidated, and investigators themselves accused of being complicit in the cover-up.
The CID discovered that the vehicle used in the suspected abduction was a Defender jeep (WP KA 0642) linked to the Siriliya Saviya Foundation, an organization headed by Shiranthi Rajapaksa, the former First Lady. This revelation was politically explosive, as the charity had close ties to the Rajapaksa family, then at the height of their power.
At least one police officer involved in the original investigation was arrested for withholding evidence, while former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Anura Senanayake was detained for obstructing justice. Both men died before their trials concluded. Judicial Medical Officer Prof. Ananda Samarasekera, who conducted the first autopsy and was accused of tampering with evidence, also died before facing court.
These developments fueled public suspicion that the murder and its cover-up were orchestrated or at least protected by powerful political actors.
The New Twist: ‘Kajja’ Enters the Frame
In 2025, the case took another dramatic turn. Acting Police Spokesperson Minura Senarath revealed that Anura Vidanagamage, also known as “Middeniya Kajja”, a notorious underworld figure recently shot dead along with his two children, had been identified in CCTV footage as a person who followed Thajudeen’s vehicle moments before his death.
This identification came after CID officers showed the footage to Kajja’s widow, who recognized him by his posture and chronic hip problem. Her testimony suggested that Kajja was in the second vehicle that pursued Thajudeen’s car shortly before it was found burning.
However, controversy quickly followed. Kajja’s eldest son publicly disputed the claim, asking why police had not shown the footage to other family members for verification. He also revealed that money had been transferred to his mother’s account following Kajja’s death, suggesting possible manipulation or coercion.
Adding another layer of intrigue, underworld figure “Backhoe Saman”, arrested in Indonesia and suspected of orchestrating Kajja’s killing, allegedly confessed that the murder was linked to efforts to silence witnesses connected to the Thajudeen case.
What We Know and What We Don’t
Thirteen years on, much about the Wasim Thajudeen case has been uncovered, yet many critical questions remain unanswered. What is known beyond doubt is that Thajudeen’s death was not an accident, but a carefully staged murder. Forensic evidence has confirmed that he suffered multiple blunt-force injuries, fractures, and burn marks inconsistent with a vehicular crash, proving he was tortured and killed before his body was set on fire. The investigations also revealed that a Defender jeep linked to the Siriliya Saviya Foundation, an organization headed by former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, was allegedly used in the abduction, pointing to connections that reach into the upper echelons of political power. Several police officers, including a former Deputy Inspector General, were accused of suppressing or manipulating evidence to portray the murder as an accident.
More recently, the identification of Anura Vidanagamage, also known as Middeniya Kajja, as one of the individuals following Thajudeen’s vehicle moments before his death has added a new dimension to the investigation. His widow’s testimony and the subsequent arrest of the underworld figure Backhoe Saman have strengthened suspicions of a criminal network operating behind the scenes. Yet, despite these findings, the full picture remains obscured. It is still unclear what exact role Kajja played, who ordered the killing, and what the real motive was whether it stemmed from a personal dispute, political vendetta, or an attempt to send a message to others who crossed paths with those in power.
Equally troubling is that, despite years of inquiry, no member of the alleged political network has been directly charged. Key evidence has vanished, witnesses have died or disappeared, and contradictory statements continue to cloud the truth. As the case once again gains momentum, the central questions remain painfully familiar: who killed Wasim Thajudeen, who ordered it, and will Sri Lanka’s justice system ever have the courage or independence to reveal the full truth?
Court Proceedings & the Legal Landscape
Although the courts have classified the case as a murder and directed the CID to act, indictments against alleged masterminds have yet to materialize. Political transitions from Sirisena to Gotabaya Rajapaksa and now to Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration have repeatedly disrupted momentum.
Under the new government, which campaigned on promises of transparency and accountability, police say investigations are continuing. Acting Police Spokesperson Minura Senarath and Justice Minister Nalinda Jayatissa both claim that authorities are pursuing fresh leads based on recent witness statements and overseas arrests.
Yet, more than a decade later, the Thajudeen family remains skeptical. “Every government promises justice,” said a relative. “But if this one fails too, there is no hope left for the future.”
The Stakes & What Must Happen Next
For many Sri Lankans, the Thajudeen case has become a litmus test for the country’s ability to deliver justice in politically sensitive crimes. It underscores the urgent need for stronger witness protection, independent forensics, and judicial transparency.
Civil society groups have urged the government to prioritize the safety of key witnesses, as Sri Lanka’s history is littered with the murders of individuals linked to major investigations. The Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act (2015, amended 2023) mandates protection from harm or intimidation but implementation remains weak.
If the Dissanayake administration is sincere about breaking the cycle of impunity, it must ensure that witnesses, investigators, and journalists working on this case are shielded from reprisal.
More than 13 years after that night on Park Road, the charred shell of Thajudeen’s car remains an enduring symbol of Sri Lanka’s darkest truths and its most elusive justice. Until full accountability is achieved, his death will continue to haunt the nation’s conscience.
