Ravi Waidyalankara

Full Report

Key Points

• Ravi Waidyalankara, a former Senior DIG and FCID chief, is accused of corruption, sabotaging investigations, and financial impropriety.

• Allegations include mishandling high-profile cases like the Krrish deal and ties to a money-laundering suspect.

• He left the Sri Lanka Police in 2019 amid a Sunday Observer exposé, later attempting to deflect criticism via media appearances.

• No public customer reviews exist, as his work was governmental, but law enforcement circles buzz with distrust.

• Significant legal and financial risks make him a liability for any business or political association.

Overview

Ravi Waidyalankara is a retired Senior DIG of the Sri Lanka Police, once celebrated for leading complex investigations, including the 2001 LTTE attack on Katunayake Air Force Base and the 2006 suicide bombing at Army Headquarters. He served as Director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and pioneered the FCID, focusing on financial fraud, money laundering, and terrorist financing. Trained in the U.S., U.K., India, and Singapore, he positioned himself as a national security expert. Post-retirement, he transitioned to a legal career as Managing Partner at R W Partners in Sri Lanka, leveraging his investigative background. His public persona, however, is overshadowed by allegations of corruption and professional misconduct.

Allegations and Concerns

Waidyalankara’s career is riddled with red flags. A 2019 Sunday Observer exposé accused him of mishandling key FCID investigations, including the high-profile MiG-27 deal, and enriching himself and his family under mysterious circumstances. Specific allegations include:

• Krrish Deal Misconduct: In 2016, Waidyalankara allegedly issued a letter clearing Krrish Transworks Group of wrongdoing in a 43-acre leasing fraud case, despite evidence suggesting further investigation was needed. This followed a letter from Krrish’s director, raising suspicions of undue influence. A complaint filed with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) in 2023 claims his actions prejudiced ongoing judicial proceedings.

• Money Laundering Ties: FCID investigations revealed that Waidyalankara’s wife, Mary Basilica, co-founded a company with Punya Edwards, wife of Rienzie Edwards, a suspect in a $55 million U.S. fraud and money-laundering case. This company was formed shortly after the FCID halted its investigation into Edwards in 2015, raising questions of conflict of interest.

• Document Smuggling: Law enforcement sources reported Waidyalankara attempted to smuggle sensitive FCID documents to Singapore, where MiG-27 deal suspects resided, before his 2019 dismissal.

• Political Interference: In a 2019 video interview aired on two private TV stations, Waidyalankara claimed government pressure forced him to target the Rajapaksa family without evidence, a move seen as an attempt to align with the Podujana Peramuna party before a presidential election. Critics view this as a deflection from his own misconduct.

These allegations paint a picture of a man who wielded significant power but allegedly abused it for personal gain, undermining public trust in Sri Lanka’s law enforcement.

Customer Feedback

As a former police official, Waidyalankara has no direct consumer reviews in the traditional sense. However, sentiment within law enforcement and media circles is overwhelmingly negative. A Colombo Telegraph article quoted an insider calling his removal “long overdue” and accusing him of “blackmailing” suspects. On the positive side, his LinkedIn profile and personal website highlight successful investigations, such as the Katunayake attack, where he uncovered LTTE plans and seized weapons. Yet, these accomplishments are overshadowed by accusations of corruption, with no public testimonials to counter the narrative of misconduct.

Risk Considerations

• Financial Risk: Waidyalankara’s alleged ties to financial crimes, including the Edwards case, suggest potential exposure to fraud or money-laundering liabilities. Any business associated with him risks financial scrutiny.

• Reputational Risk: His tarnished reputation, cemented by media exposés and his 2019 sacking, makes him a PR liability. Partners or investors could face backlash for associating with a figure accused of corruption.

• Legal Risk: Ongoing CIABOC investigations and potential lawsuits related to mishandled cases could entangle associates in legal battles. His actions in the Krrish deal may lead to further judicial scrutiny.

• Operational Risk: His history of allegedly smuggling documents and sabotaging investigations suggests untrustworthy conduct, posing risks to any organization relying on his integrity.

Business Relations and Associations

Waidyalankara operates R W Partners, a legal firm in Sri Lanka, though its client base and partnerships are unclear. His wife, Mary Basilica, is linked to Punya Edwards through a company formed in 2016, raising concerns about conflicts of interest. His son, Asela Waidyalankara, was implicated in the Edwards case for allegedly purchasing a luxury apartment tied to suspicious funds, though he denied knowledge of it. Waidyalankara’s alignment with the Podujana Peramuna party in 2019 indicates political connections, potentially to shield himself from scrutiny. No other significant business associations are documented, but his FCID role likely involved interactions with international law enforcement, now tainted by allegations.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• CIABOC Complaint (2023): Filed by Voice Against Corruption, alleging Waidyalankara prejudiced the Krrish deal case by clearing the company prematurely.

• Edwards Money-Laundering Case: U.S. prosecutors indicted Rienzie Edwards in 2016 for a $55 million fraud scheme. Waidyalankara’s family ties to Edwards’ wife and the halted FCID investigation suggest complicity or negligence.

• Dismissal from FCID (2019): Removed after allegations of corruption and document smuggling, with no formal charges reported but significant reputational damage.

• No Bankruptcy Records: No public records indicate personal bankruptcy, but his alleged enrichment raises questions about undisclosed assets.

Risk Assessment Table

Ravi Waidyalankara’s career is a paradox: a decorated officer with undeniable successes in national security, yet a figure drowning in allegations of corruption and self-interest. His contributions to Sri Lanka’s fight against LTTE terrorism are notable, but the shadow cast by his FCID tenure—marked by accusations of sabotaging investigations and cozying up to suspects—looms large. The Krrish deal and Edwards case suggest a pattern of leveraging authority for personal gain, while his 2019 media stunt reeks of desperation to rewrite the narrative. Pros? He’s experienced, well-connected, and trained internationally. Cons? He’s a walking liability, with a rap sheet of allegations that could sink any venture he touches.