Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa has been further remanded until September 29 in connection with an investigation into allegations that he received a Rs. 100 million bribe linked to the procurement of Airbus aircraft for SriLankan Airlines.
The order was issued today (September 18) by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama after Rajapaksa was produced before court.
The investigation by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) concerns allegations that Rajapaksa received Rs. 100 million in connection with a transaction involving the purchase of aircraft for SriLankan Airlines. The allegations have not been proven in court.
During today’s proceedings, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara made submissions on behalf of the Bribery Commission, while President’s Counsel Shavindra Fernando appeared for Rajapaksa, according to local reports. After considering the submissions, the Chief Magistrate ordered that Rajapaksa remain in remand custody until September 29.
The court also indicated that the order regarding Rajapaksa’s bail application will be delivered on September 29.
Rajapaksa was initially arrested by CIABOC on September 4 following questioning over the Airbus transaction and was subsequently remanded.
Separately, Rajapaksa is also facing proceedings before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court in a money-laundering investigation arising from the Airbus transaction. In that separate case, he was remanded until September 23.
The investigations and court proceedings remain ongoing, and the remand order does not constitute a finding of guilt.
