IntelScoops

COLOMBO – August 5, 2025

The Attorney General today filed a fresh indictment before the Colombo High Court against five individuals, including notorious underworld figure Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne—also known as “Harak Kata”—on 50 criminal charges, including conspiracy to escape from the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) while in detention.

The case was heard by High Court Judge Sujeewa Nissanka, who ordered all five accused to be remanded following the formal serving of indictments during today’s proceedings. The accused appeared in court under heavy security.

The individuals named in the indictment are:

Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne alias Harak Kata Ravindu Sandipa Gunasekara, former CID constable Dinesh Tharanga Ruwan Chamara alias Midigama Ruwan Sanjeewa Abeysinghe

According to State Counsel Sajith Bandara, the Attorney General’s Department has withdrawn a previous set of charges filed against three of the accused in connection to the same alleged escape plot. The new indictment consolidates and expands upon the earlier case, now naming five individuals and introducing 50 distinct charges.

The charges stem from Harak Kata’s detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) from April 1 to September 10, 2023. During that time, he allegedly conspired with the other accused, including a police officer, to orchestrate an escape from CID custody.

High Court Judge Nissanka instructed that the fingerprints of all accused be recorded and ordered Harak Kata to remain in remand custody upon the expiry of his current detention order. The remaining four were also remanded until the next hearing.

The defense informed the court that motions will be filed before the Court of Appeal to withdraw previously lodged appeals related to the earlier charges, which are now considered redundant. Judge Nissanka stated that the High Court ruling on those appeals would proceed once formal withdrawal is confirmed.

The prosecution has named 74 witnesses in the case, suggesting a high-profile and complex legal battle ahead.

The case will be taken up again on September 24, when the court expects updates on the withdrawal of appeals and the progression of pre-trial formalities.