Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser and Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa has been further remanded until September 30 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to the procurement of Airbus aircraft for SriLankan Airlines.
Rajapaksa was produced before Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena on Tuesday (September 23) in connection with the case being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The court had previously scheduled September 23 to deliver its decision on Rajapaksa’s bail application. However, during Tuesday’s proceedings, the Magistrate directed the CID to provide clarification on several matters relevant to the bail request. The CID was instructed to submit the requested information when the case is taken up again on September 30.
The Magistrate indicated that the court would consider the additional information before delivering its order on the bail application. Rajapaksa was accordingly ordered to remain in remand custody until that date.
The CID investigation concerns alleged financial irregularities involving approximately US$2 million in connection with the procurement of Airbus aircraft by SriLankan Airlines. Rajapaksa was named as a suspect in the money laundering proceedings following instructions from the Attorney General after investigators submitted material relating to the aircraft transaction.
This money laundering proceeding is separate from a case before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court concerning allegations of a Rs. 100 million bribe connected to the Airbus transaction. In that separate case, Rajapaksa has been remanded until September 29.
Both matters remain before the courts. The allegations have not been established as findings of guilt.
