Harak Kata’s’ father writes to HRCSL over alleged threat to son’s life
A complaint has been filed with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) by Nelson Mervyn Wickramaratne the father of Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne commonly known as “Harak Kata” alleging a plot to assassinate his son inside prison.
In a letter addressed to the HRCSL Secretary, Wickramaratne stated that his son is currently held at a 10 cell detention facility inside the Welisara Navy Camp alongside three rival underworld figures Kehelbaddara Padme, Bacco Saman and Panadura Nilanga. He noted that these individuals have previously faced allegations of attempting to assassinate his son inside court premises.
Dismissing recent media reports of a September 22 clash between his son and Padme as false, Wickramaratne expressed severe concern that the incident is being used to stage a fatal attack on his son. He highlighted that his son suffers from a knee injury, walks on crutches and is kept under conditions where his health has deteriorated.Wickramaratne alleged that the threat to his son’s life is tied to his readiness to expose widespread state corruption, including claims involving two Senior Deputy Inspectors General (SDIGs) and six Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) who allegedly extorted tens of millions of rupees under the guise of protecting him. He added that disclosures have already been communicated to DIG Shani Abeysekara and the President.
The letter further noted that despite over 36 months in detention and more than 26,000 hours of interrogation under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Terrorist Investigation Department (TID), authorities have failed to file any new cases against his son regarding drug trafficking or major crimes, with his only active drug charge dating back to a 2018 case involving 12 grams.
Wickramaratne urged the HRCSL to intervene immediately to protect his son’s right to life and ensure he faces legal due process rather than unlawful harm. (
