Ravi Waidyalankara

Ravi Waidyalankara, a former senior Sri Lankan police officer and ex-FCID Chief, has come under intense scrutiny due to a growing number of serious allegations. These include fraud, money laundering, misuse of authority, and potential links to politically motivated corruption cover-ups. A closer look at publicly available sources reveals troubling patterns of behavior, raising concerns about his credibility and integrity.

Alleged Money Laundering via Family-Linked Shell Companies
Public sources accuse Waidyalankara of using his wife and son to operate multiple shell companies shortly after a major US-based fraud case emerged. These companies, including Soorya International and Talos Management, were tied to suspicious financial activities. Funds were allegedly laundered through real estate investments and luxury property purchases in Colombo. This pattern suggests an intent to disguise the source of illicit wealth by routing money through relatives.

Rs. 75 Million Fraud Allegation Involving Apartment Scam
In 2024, Waidyalankara was charged with defrauding a businessman of Rs. 75 million (~$300,000) in a luxury apartment deal. He allegedly issued a cheque that bounced, despite promising housing units through a project called “One Transworks Square.” Court proceedings led to his release on Rs. 10 million bail and a strict overseas travel ban. A second case from January 2025, involving another Rs. 75 million, further escalated his legal troubles.

Misuse of FCID Authority to Obstruct Corruption Investigations
Waidyalankara has been accused of using his power as FCID Chief to shield politically connected individuals. High-profile cases involving the Rajapaksa family and MiG aircraft procurement were allegedly stalled under his leadership. He failed to act on U.S. Department of Justice requests to freeze assets linked to international investigations. His eventual removal from FCID was reportedly due to internal concerns of corruption and compromised integrity.

Links to Indicted U.S. Money Launderer Rienzie Edwards
Investigations revealed that funds from Rienzie Edwards—a U.S.-indicted fraudster—were tied to addresses linked to Waidyalankara’s family. Despite DOJ evidence, no action was taken by FCID under his command, which raised major red flags. Later, the flow of funds was traced to properties acquired by his family companies, suggesting coordinated laundering. His tenure now appears to have been strategically used to suppress investigations against known criminals.

Political Bias and Ethical Misconduct Post-FCID
After being removed from office, Waidyalankara gave public interviews suggesting his investigations were politically manipulated. He joined pro-Rajapaksa campaign activities, raising eyebrows about his loyalties and ethical boundaries. Critics argue he attempted to rebrand himself while deflecting attention from his own financial scandals. His public pivot toward political players under investigation further diminishes his trustworthiness.