No association with Padme, but knows the father - Prasanna Ranatunga

Former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga was summoned to the Criminal Investigation Department yesterday (02) to record a statement in connection with an investigation being conducted into Kehelbadde Padme, an underworld gang member who was arrested in Indonesia and brought to the island.

This investigation is being conducted based on a statement made by the said underworld member, and it is reported that the investigating officers extensively questioned the former minister about his connections with the suspect.

Speaking to the media after giving his statement, Mr. Prasanna Ranatunga stated that Kehelbadde Padme is a resident of his village area, and that officials questioned whether he was connected to him for political activities. The former minister further emphasized that although the suspect's father worked closely with him, he did not have a strong connection with the suspect himself.

Meanwhile, Mr. Namal Rajapaksa, the National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, has also been summoned to the Criminal Investigation Department today (03) for questioning regarding the same incident.

Furthermore, it is reported that several models who were found to have had connections with Kehelbadde Padme have also been questioned by investigating officers on several previous occasions.