The Polonnaruwa Magistrate on Tuesday, ordered the freezing of all assets belonging to former Officer-in-Charge of the Welikanda Police, Chief Inspector R. M. Ratnayake, wanted in connection with cattle rustling.

Ratnayake, who is on the run, is accused of orchestrating the return of stolen cows to traffickers, after seizing the animals in September 2024.

Ratnayake, who is currently assigned to the Pujapitiya Police, was issued an arrest warrant on 11 March after his failure to report for duty. According to the Anuradhapura Division Criminal Investigation Unit, he reported sick and left the area, evading arrest.

The case began when 20 cattle, transported without proper doccumentation, were taken into custody by Rathnayake during his tenure as Welikanda OIC on September 23, 2024. The animals were brought before the Polonnaruwa court, which ordered their transfer to a state-owned livestock farm. However, an anonymous tip-off alleged that Rathnayake had arranged for the animals to be returned to the particular cattle rustlers.

Following the complaint, the IGP assigned the Criminal Investigation Unit in Anuradhapura to probe the allegations. Two individuals have been arrested and brought to court in connection with the case, but Rathnayake remains at large.

On Tuesday (25), as proceedings continued in court, Ratnayake failed to appear, prompting Magistrate Anwar Sadak to take further action.

Citing Section 60(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, the Magistrate ordered the seizure of all of Ratnayake’s movable and immovable assets and placing them under court custody.

Additionally, the Central Bank Governor was instructed to freeze any local and foreign bank accounts held by the suspect. A travel ban was also imposed, and Rathnayake has been ordered to appear before the court by 29 April.