Court Grants Bail to Rohitha’s Daughter in Illegal Vehicle Import Case

02-Aug-2025

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Rochelle Melanie Abeygunawardena, daughter of MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena, who was arrested in connection with the illegal importation and fraudulent registration of a vehicle with the Department of Motor Traffic, was granted bail by the Matugama Magistrate’s Court.

She was produced before the court on July 31 and released on two personal bails of Rs. 2 million each. Prior to her court appearance, the Bribery Investigation Division had recorded a nine-hour statement from her following her surrender two days earlier.

Earlier, Rasik Withanage, son of Kalutara District MP Jagath Withanage, was also granted bail in connection with the same case involving the illegal import and registration of a jeep using falsified documents. 

Investigations revealed that the jeep, registered for a second time under a private company owned by Jagath Withanage, had been used by his family. Rasik had stated in his deposition that he had purchased the vehicle from Rochelle Melanie Abeygunawardena.

Based on this testimony, fraud investigators visited her home in Nagoda, Kalutara on July 19, but she and her husband were not present. 

As a result, a travel ban was imposed on both by the magistrate. Subsequently, her husband was arrested and remanded after appearing in court, and Rochelle later surrendered to police, after which she was released on bail.