November 03, Colombo (LNW): The Department of Prisons confirmed that former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, who had been receiving treatment at the Prison Hospital, was moved to Colombo General Hospital due to “a sudden illness” last night.
Ratwatte’s transfer follows his recent arrest related to allegations of involvement with an illegally imported luxury vehicle.
Ratwatte was initially placed under remand after Mirihana Police apprehended him on October 31 in connection with an unregistered luxury car found at his wife’s residence in Mirihana, Nugegoda.
The discovery of the vehicle, devoid of registration plates, was reportedly made on 26 October during a targeted inspection based on information indicating the presence of such a car at a three-storey property belonging to his wife, Shashi Prabha Ratwatte.
During police questioning, Ratwatte and his wife claimed that the property in question is primarily occupied by his mother-in-law and that the vehicle had been brought there by his private secretary roughly three weeks prior.
This assertion added complexity to the investigation, as the private secretary in question was recently found dead with gunshot wounds in Katugastota, Kandy.
Ratwatte’s hospital transfer was sanctioned by the Acting Magistrate of Nugegoda, who granted his initial move to the Prison Hospital.
Authorities have since indicated that the investigation remains ongoing as they work to untangle the circumstances surrounding the luxury vehicle and the recent, related incidents.
