Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited the residence of former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe this week, following the arrest of Rajapakshe’s son by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), according to a report by the Sunday Times.

The report said Wickremesinghe, accompanied by several opposition figures, met Rajapakshe to inquire about his wellbeing.

According to the Sunday Times, Wickremesinghe told those present that due process had been followed in relation to the arrest and detention of underworld figure Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne, alias ‘Harak Kata’, during his presidency.

The former President reportedly said that no individual could interfere in the matter, noting that as Defence Minister at the time, all relevant documents, including those concerning ‘Harak Kata’, had been submitted to the Presidential Secretariat for his approval.

Wickremesinghe also rejected allegations that Rajapakshe had improperly protected ‘Harak Kata’, saying that any request to ensure the safety of a person in state custody was consistent with the government’s responsibility to protect detainees and comply with human rights obligations.

CIABOC earlier this week informed court that Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe is also now under investigation after it was revealed that he and his son were in Dubai during the period when the alleged solicitation of money to influence a case took place.

According to the report, investigators are seeking to determine whether there was any connection between the former minister and his son being in Dubai at the same time and whether there was any link to the alleged offence.