Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa was ordered to remain in remand custody until September 23 after being produced before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday in connection with an investigation into alleged financial irregularities linked to the procurement of Airbus aircraft for SriLankan Airlines.
Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena issued the remand order after hearing submissions relating to the investigation. The court also fixed September 23 to announce its decision on Rajapaksa’s bail application.
Rajapaksa, who was already in custody in connection with a separate proceeding arising from the Airbus transaction, was produced before the Fort Magistrate’s Court after being named a suspect in a money-laundering investigation concerning the aircraft procurement.
The investigation concerns alleged financial irregularities surrounding SriLankan Airlines’ acquisition of Airbus aircraft. Authorities are examining the movement and handling of funds connected to the transaction.
Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara made submissions on behalf of investigators during Wednesday’s proceedings, while President’s Counsel Anil Silva and other lawyers appeared for Rajapaksa.
The latest proceedings are connected to the wider scrutiny of SriLankan Airlines’ Airbus procurement arrangements. Rajapaksa had earlier been arrested on September 4 in a separate anti-corruption investigation linked to the same aircraft procurement and was remanded until September 18 in that matter.
The allegations remain subject to ongoing judicial proceedings, and the latest order is a remand decision rather than a determination of guilt.
