EconomyCrimeHOTFriday, May 1, 2026

Investigation Continues into Death of Suspende Treasury Official Linked to $2.5 Million Incident

TLDR

Suspended Treasury official Ranga Rajapaksa died by suicide.
Linked to $2.5M cyber theft probe; 4 officials suspended.
Self-inflicted cut wounds led to death; 4-member panel confirmed.
Wife: Rajapaksa distressed by suspension, felt unable to face society.

The post-mortem examination of A. M. Ranga Nishantha Rajapaksa, an Assistant Director at the Treasury's Department of Foreign Resources, is being conducted today by a panel of four specialist forensic doctors. Mr. Rajapaksa was among four officials suspended in connection with an ongoing investigation into a $2.5 million foreign loan payment that was allegedly diverted to a third party, with one source mentioning "hackers." His body was discovered yesterday afternoon in the betel garden behind his home in Pahala Weerambuwa, Kuliyapitiya, with police initially stating it appeared to be a suicide. However, reports indicate serious cut wounds on both his feet, and a blood-stained knife was found near the scene, prompting further police investigations into the mysterious death.

7 Updates

Update #8\u00b7 May 5 · 8:46 AM

The funeral of the suspended Finance Ministry official, identified as Ranga Rajapaksha, took place in Kuliyapitiya on May 2nd, 2026, with attendance from residents, relatives, and government officials. In Parliament, the Deputy Minister of Finance stated that four officials have been suspended following preliminary investigations into the US$2.5 million financial irregularity. He confirmed that investigations by internal committees and the CID are ongoing, with the alleged fraudulent payments occurring between November 2025 and January 2026. The Deputy Minister also commented that the official committed suicide.

Update #7\u00b7 May 2 · 7:05 AM

During the post-mortem examination, the wife of Ranga Rajapaksa provided testimony stating that her husband had been deeply distressed by his suspension following the alleged cyber theft incident involving Treasury funds. She noted that he felt unable to face society and expressed great love for their two children. Additionally, the younger daughter of the official provided testimony, describing how she witnessed her father attempting to leave the house with a knife.

Update #6\u00b7 May 2 · 4:08 AM

A new report from the four-member Judicial Medical Consultants panel has detailed that the suspended Treasury official, identified as Ranga Rajapaksa, died by suicide by cutting the veins of his left hand and both legs with his right hand. The official had been suspended in connection with a US$2.5 million fraudulent transfer incident.

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