The long-running investigation into the 2012 murder of national rugby player Wasim Thajudeen has taken a dramatic turn with new revelations from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), sparking fresh political controversy and renewed debate over one of Sri Lanka’s most high-profile unsolved cases.
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organizer Namal Rajapaksa strongly criticized the CID, accusing investigators of using the case for political gain. Speaking at a media briefing in Nawala, Rajapaksa alleged that the authorities were “fabricating false evidence to satisfy the government” and questioned the credibility of recent testimony.
Rajapaksa also condemned the CID for disclosing sensitive details of the investigation to the media rather than the courts. “When sensitive case details are disclosed at press briefings, it clearly shows a desire to build a political narrative,” he said. Referring to the recent testimony of an underworld widow, he asked: “If someone claims to identify her husband just because of a posture in unclear CCTV footage, is that credible? Where has she been living? Who has she been associating with? These are the questions investigators should ask.”
New Twist From Underworld Probe
The controversy began when Acting Police Spokesperson ASP Minura Senaratne revealed that fresh evidence had surfaced during investigations into the February 19 murder of underworld figure Aruna Priyantha Widanagamage, alias Meegasare’ Kajja.
The prime suspect in that case, Nirmal Prasanga—better known as Backhoe Saman—was recently arrested in Indonesia along with Kehelbaddara Padme and is currently being interrogated.
According to police, Kajja’s widow gave a statement to the CID identifying her late husband in CCTV footage from the night of Thajudeen’s death. The footage, taken in Havelock Town, showed Thajudeen’s Toyota Vitz being followed by another vehicle. At one point, a man is seen entering the second vehicle.
Although investigators released an image of that individual years ago, no identification was made at the time. Kajja’s widow now claims it was her husband, citing his distinctive habit of resting his hands on his hips due to chronic hip pain.
Credibility Questioned
Rajapaksa dismissed the credibility of the identification, and his criticism was echoed by Kajja’s son in a Facebook post. The son questioned why the police had not asked his father’s siblings to confirm the footage instead. He further alleged that his mother had left the family for another man—identified as Sampath Ramanayake, an associate of Backhoe Saman—and suggested that her testimony may have been influenced by personal motives.
The post also claimed that Kajja had been working along Route 176 in Nugegoda in 2012, and questioned whether his murder, and that of his two children, might be linked to his estranged wife and her alleged lover.
Criminal Network Exposed
Meanwhile, investigators revealed that Sampath Manampperi, a former SLPP Pradeshiya Sabha candidate currently in custody, admitted to supplying the firearm used in Kajja’s killing. He is being held under a detention order for his alleged role in a drug trafficking network run by Backhoe Saman, Panadura Nilanga, and Kehelbaddara Padme.
Police believe these revelations point to a far-reaching criminal syndicate with both political and underworld ties—adding another layer of complexity to the already murky Thajudeen case.
Flashback: The Thajudeen Timeline
- May 17, 2012 – Wasim Thajudeen’s charred body discovered in a car near Shalika Grounds, Narahenpita. Initially declared an accident.
- 2015–2016 – CID reclassifies the death as murder. Exhumation reveals signs of assault.
- 2016–2018 – Several arrests made, including senior police officers accused of evidence suppression.
- 2018 – A Defender Jeep linked to the Siriliya Saviya Foundation identified in connection with Thajudeen’s abduction.
- 2025 – New evidence surfaces during the probe into Meegasare’ Kajja’s killing, reviving the case.
Thirteen Years Later—Still No Justice
Thirteen years since the tragic death of Wasim Thajudeen, many suspects and witnesses have died, and key evidence has been mired in controversy. While investigators insist new leads may finally unlock the mystery, critics accuse the CID of exploiting the case for political ends.
