Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his son Namal Rajapaksa were seen visiting the private hospital in Colombo, where former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte had passed away this morning. 

Former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte had passed away at the age of 57 while receiving treatment at the hospital.

Paying tribute to the late Lohan Ratwatte, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said his demise was a significant loss to the nation, especially to the Kandy District.

“He was a very close politician to us. He was a very good friend,” Mahinda Rajapaksa added. 

Also speaking to the media, MP Namal Rajapaksa said Lohan Ratwatte was very close to the Rajapaksa family.

“He worked as a brother and a close politician of Mahinda Rajapaksa, as well as our family. Lohan Ratwatte is a person who has done a lot for the nation and the Kandy District. We express our condolences as a family and political party,” MP Rajapaksa said, paying tribute to the late former State Minister. (Newswire)

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Former Parliamentarian and State Minister Lohan Ratwatte has passed away at the age of 57.

Family sources said he had been unwell and was receiving medical treatment at the time of his death.

Ratwatte, the son of former Deputy Defence Minister General Anuruddha Ratwatte, entered Parliament in 2000 representing the Kandy District. Over the years, he held several positions, including State Minister of Prison Management and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and State Minister of Gem and Jewellery-related Industries.

He was also a prominent figure in Sri Lanka’s political landscape, known for his close association with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and later the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna. (Newswire)

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Former Minister Lohan Ratwatte has questioned President Anura Kumara Dissanayake about his policies, highlighting the recent arrests of politicians and their wives.

Lohan Ratawatte said the President not only placed him in remand custody, but also his wife. 

“Shameful. Not only did you put me and my wife behind bars, but now another former Chief Minister and the wife of a former minister have also been remanded,” he said. 

Lohan Ratwatte further said that the President and his associates must be hanged for the crimes committed during the JVP riots in 1983-84.

“We will support you if you are doing good for the nation. If not, we will also have to take alternative steps. You can put me behind bars as many times as you want. But if you touch my wife, I know what I will do,” Ratwatte warned in a message directed at the President. 

Lohan Ratwatte made the remarks while addressing an event of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) targeting the upcoming Local Council polls. (Newswire)

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The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has decided to release former minister Lohan Ratwatte from the case regarding a traffic accident in Colpetty.

Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura issued the order today after taking into consideration a request made by the lawyers of Ratwatte, who is on bail in connection to the incident. 

The court was informed that both parties had agreed to a settlement of Rs. 01 million to the defendants. 

Lohan Ratwatte was arrested in Colpetty for driving under the influence of alcohol and causing a road accident in December 2024.

A Land Rover Defender driven by the former parliamentarian had collided with a car at the Colpetty Junction.

Following the accident, the former minister had verbally abused and threatened the people in the other vehicle, who were a lawyer and his junior. (Newswire)

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Former MP Lohan Ratwatte has returned to the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) to contest the 2025 Local Government Elections.

Previously, Ratwatte left the SLPP to extend support to National Democratic Front (NDF) candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe in the 2024 Presidential Election, while he also did not contest the General Elections.

However, addressing the media in Kandy on Monday (11 Mar), Lohan Ratwatte announced his plans to rejoin the SLPP for the Local Government Elections.

The former MP said he was prepared to assume the SLPP leadership for the Kandy District. 

Lohan Ratwatte assured he would make his full contribution to the victory of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna in the upcoming Local Government election. (Newswire)

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Former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte who was arrested over a road accident in Colpetty recently has been released on bail. 

Ratwatte was arrested for causing an accident while driving under the influence of alcohol and is also accused of having shouted and threatened those at the scene.

After being produced before the Fort Magistrate’s Court today, Ratwatte extended an apology in open court for his actions. 

The court then released Ratwatte on two sureties of Rs. 01 million each. (Newswire)

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Former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte has withdrawn the writ petition filed at the Court of Appeal seeking to prevent his arrest over the incident of an illegally assembled vehicle found at a house belonging to his wife in Mirihana recently.

The writ petition filed by Lohan Ratwatte was taken up for consideration today before Court of Appeal President, Justice Nissanka Banduala Karunarathne.

During the hearing, Ratwatte’s lawyer informed the court that his client had already been released on bail concerning the case.

The lawyer further informed the court that under such circumstances, his client did not intend to proceed with the petition and would like to withdraw it.

Taking into consideration the request, the judge permitted to withdraw the petition and decided to dismiss it.

Former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte and his wife were arrested and remanded over the illegally assembled luxury vehicle that was found in their property in Mirihana during a raid. However, the couple were granted bail last week. (Newswire)

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Former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte and his wife, who were arrested in connection with the use of an illegally assembled motor vehicle, have been released on bail.

The Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court granted bail to Ratwatte and his wife when the case filed against them was taken up for hearing today.

Ratwatte and his wife were arrested after a vehicle without a number plate was found at a house belonging to Ratwatte’s wife in Mirihana during a probe conducted by a team of Police officials based on a tip-off from the Mirihana Police.

The investigating Police Officers had found that the house belonged to Ratwatte’s wife only after discovering the vehicle at the property.

At the time, Lohan Ratwatte had claimed that his Coordinating Secretary, who had died by suicide in Kandy, had brought the car to the property without informing him and that he was unaware of the owner of the vehicle.

Lohan Ratwatte was initially arrested over the incident and soon after his wife was also taken into Police custody, the couple being remanded after being produced in court. (Newswire)

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Former Minister Lohan Ratwatte and his wife, who were arrested in connection with the use of an illegally assembled motor vehicle, have been ordered to be remanded until December 6.

The order was issued after Ratwatte and his wife were produced before the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court.

Ratwatte and his wife were arrested after a vehicle without a number plate was found at a house belonging to Ratwatte’s wife in Mirihana during a probe conducted by a team of Police officials based on a tip-off from the Mirihana Police.

The investigating Police Officers had found that the house belonged to Ratwatte’s wife only after discovering the vehicle at the property.

At the time, Lohan Ratwatte had claimed that his Coordinating Secretary, who had died by suicide in Kandy, had brought the car to the property without informing him and that he was unaware of the owner of the vehicle.

Lohan Ratwatte was initially arrested over the incident and soon after his wife was also taken into Police custody, the couple being remanded after being produced in court. (Newswire)

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Former minister Lohan Ratwatte and his wife have been further remanded over the case related to the possession of an illegally assembled unregistered luxury car.

The Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court today further remanded Lohan Ratwatte until 02nd December and his wife until 22 November. 

Ratwatte and his wife were arrested after a vehicle without a number plate was found at a house belonging to Ratwatte’s wife in Mirihana during a probe conducted by a team of Police officials based on a tip-off from the Mirihana Police.

The investigating Police Officers had found that the house belonged to Ratwatte’s wife only after discovering the vehicle at the property. 

At the time, Lohan Ratwatte had claimed that his Coordinating Secretary, who had died by suicide in Kandy, had brought the car to the property without informing him and that he was unaware of the owner of the vehicle. 

Lohan Ratwatte was initially arrested over the incident and soon after his wife was also taken into Police custody, the couple being remanded after being produced in court. (Newswire)

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The Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court has further remanded former minister Lohan Ratwatte and his wife until 18 November for the possession of an illegally assembled unregistered luxury car.

The vehicle without a number plate was found at a house belonging to Ratwatte’s wife in Mirihana recently during a probe conducted by a team of Police officials based on a tip-off from the Mirihana Police.

 The investigating Police Officers had found that the house belonged to Ratwatte’s wife only after discovering the vehicle at the property. 

At the time, Lohan Ratwatte had claimed that his Coordinating Secretary, who had died by suicide in Kandy recently, had brought the car to the property without informing him and that he was unaware of the owner of the vehicle. 

Lohan Ratwatte was arrested later (Oct 31) over the incident, soon after which his wife was also taken into Police custody. (Newswire)

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The wife of former state minister Lohan Ratwatte has been remanded for the alleged possession of an illegally assembled unregistered luxury car.

Ratwatte’s wife was remanded until 07 November by the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court today. 

The vehicle without a number plate was found at a house belonging to Lohan Ratwatte’s wife in Mirihana recently. 

The vehicle was found during a probe conducted by a team of Police officials based on a tip-off from the Mirihana Police last week.  

The investigating Police Officers had found that the house belonged to Ratwatte’s wife only after discovering the vehicle at the property. 

During questioning at the time, Lohan Ratwatte had claimed that his Coordinating Secretary, who had died by suicide in Kandy recently, had brought the car to the property without informing him and that he was unaware of the owner of the vehicle. 

On 31 October, Lohan Ratwatte was arrested over the incident and is currently in remand custody until 07 November. (Newswire)

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A white colour SUV with fake number plates alleged to have been used by former state minister Lohan Ratwatte has been taken into custody on suspicion by the Theldeniya Police, it was reported.

According to the Lankadeepa newspaper, the Theldeniya Police said that based on a tip-off the vehicle had been found in the garage of an unoccupied house at the ICC Housing Scheme in the area. 

The Mitsubishi Jeep was found bearing the fake number plate KN 5556, while the Police had found that the number plate originally belonged to a red-coloured Prado belonging to a woman in the Pilawala area in Kandy. 

Former minister Lohan Ratwatte is currently in remand custody in connection to a vehicle without a number plate that was found at a house belonging to his wife in Mirihana recently. (Newswire)

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Former minister Lohan Ratwatte has been arrested in connection to a vehicle without a number plate that was found at a house belonging to his wife in Mirihana recently. 

The Police said former minister Lohan Ratwatte was arrested in Kandy this afternoon. 

The vehicle in question was found at the former minister’s wife’s house in Mirihana during a probe conducted by a team of Police officials based on a tip-off from the Mirihana Police last week.  

The investigating Police Officers had found that the house belonged to Ratwatte’s wife only after discovering the vehicle at the property. 

During questioning at the time, Lohan Ratwatte had claimed that his Coordinating Secretary, who had died by suicide in Kandy recently, had brought the car to the property without informing him and that he was unaware of the owner of the vehicle. (Newswire)

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The public is permitted to video the actions of Police Officers while on duty, Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya said, issuing a special statement. 

According to investigative media website, Medialk, issuing a directive addressed to all Police officers, the Acting IGP said that such actions by the public are not considered illegal or against the law.

He further said that the videos obtained by the public could also be utilized as evidence in both criminal and civil cases, as per the laws of the nation. 

The Acting IGP’s order comes in the backdrop of an incident reported in Wariyapola recently, where a Police officer threatened an individual for videoing former minister Lohan Ratwatte’s defender, which had met in an accident. 

Earlier this week, commenting on the incident, Minister of Public Security Vijitha Herath also condemned the actions of the Police officer, stating that he does not accept the intervention of a Police officer in such a situation. 

“It was obvious that a Police officer had threatened a man who had videoed the vehicle. It is wrong. He cannot do so. It is the right of any person to video such an incident,” he said. 

Following the minister’s footsteps, the Acting IGP too has informed that the public can video such incidents and actions of Police officers on duty. (Newswire)

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Minister of Public Security Vijitha Herath has condemned the actions of a Police officer against a civilian who had videoed the vehicle of former minister Lohan Ratwatte that was involved in an accident recently.

Responding to questions from reporters, Minister Herath said three licenced weapons had been found inside the vehicle at the time of the incident, prompting the public to take videos. 

“The government had requested everyone to return their weapons, including those licenced, before November 07 and that they would be returned after conducting the necessary review and obtaining reports in this regard. But some of these people have not returned their weapons,” he said. 

Minister Herath said that when such weapons are found in public incidents, it results in public uproar and cannot be avoided. 

The Public Security Minister revealed that he does not accept the intervention of a Police officer in that situation. 

“It was obvious that a Police officer had threatened a man who had videoed the vehicle. It is wrong. He cannot do so. It is the right of any person to video such an incident,” he said. 

Pointing out that it was not a high-security zone, Minister Herath said the Police officer’s actions were wrong and that some officers are continuing to behave in this manner. 

The minister said such behaviour of Police officers must be avoided, adding that instructions have already been given to initiate action against the officer in question. 

Minister Herath’s comments come after a young man who videotaped a defender vehicle involved in an accident near Wariyapola was arrested earlier this week by police, reportedly for obstructing police duties.

A video shared on social media at the time, showed a police officer, identifying himself as the OIC of the Wariyapola Police Traffic Division, threatening the young man recording the scene. (Newswire)

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Former Minister Lohan Ratwatte has denied links to a car, without number plates, that was found in the parking lot of a house belonging to his wife in Mirihana, it was reported.

According to the Daily News, during questioning, Lohan Ratwatte had revealed that the vehicle had been brought to the property by his Coordinating Secretary, who recently died by suicide in Kandy. 

The vehicle in question was found at a house in Mirihana belonging to Ratwatte’s wife, during a probe conducted on Saturday by a team of Police officials based on a tip-off from the Mirihana Police.  

The investigating Police Officers are said to have found that the house belonged to Ratwatte’s wife only after discovering the vehicle at the property. 

During questioning, former minister Lohan Ratwatte claimed that his deceased Coordinating Secretary had brought the car to the property without informing him and that he was not aware of the owner of the vehicle. 

As the keys to the car are missing, the Police intend to report facts to the court and then break open the car to inspect the vehicle. 

The Police further intend to conduct an investigation into the vehicle with the assistance of the Government Analysts Department and other relevant officials. (Newswire)

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Investigations have confirmed that the Private Secretary of former Minister Lohan Ratwatte had died by suicide, the Police said. 

Addressing the media, Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said that the 50-year-old man was found with gunshot injuries at a building close to Ratwatte’s Office in the Mahaiyawa area.

Stating that he had served as Ratwatte’s Private Secretary at that particular office, DIG Thalduwa said that the man had shot himself with the official weapon that had been issued to him.

“The weapon had been issued to him with a licence. It has been found that he had renewed the licence in January this year. He had shot himself at the office premises and had died upon admission to the hospital last afternoon,” he said. 

The Police Spokesman revealed that the deceased is a 50-year-old resident of Werellagama and that the Katugastota Police are conducting investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

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Opposition MP Eran Wickramaratne has condemned State Minister of Plantation Industries Lohan Ratwatte for his recent statement on the candidacy of NPP Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake in the Presidential Election. 

“Has Anura Dissanayake constructed even a small culvert for the people? We won’t allow him to become President of this country as long as I am around in politics,” State Minister Ratwatte said during a recent rally in Kandy.

Condemning the statement, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Eran Wickramaratne pointed out that such statements have dangerous undertones considering Sri Lanka’s history of election interference and violence.

In a statement on ‘X’, MP Wickramaratne said no politician has the right to “allow” or “not allow” a candidate to be elected. 

“While I disagree with the policies of NPP & believe that Sajith is the election frontrunner, no politician has the right to “allow” or “not allow” a candidate to be elected. Such statements have dangerous undertones considering SL’s history of election interference and violence.” the SJB MP said. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna MP Lohan Ratwatte has been sworn in as the State Minister of Plantation Industries and Mahweli Development.

Ratwatte took oaths as State Minister before President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat today (Jan 29). (NewsWire)

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