COLOMBO : The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has ordered that its decision on the bail application filed on behalf of Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, who is currently in remand custody over an alleged Rs. 100 million bribery case, will be delivered on September 29.
When the case was taken up for hearing today (18), Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama further remanded Namal Rajapaksa until September 29.
The Magistrate directed the defence to file written submissions by September 22, while the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) was ordered to submit its written submissions by September 25.
When the case was taken up earlier today, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, appearing for CIABOC, told court that Namal Rajapaksa had also been produced before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court in connection with a separate case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
He said the investigation involves both bribery and money-laundering allegations and is being conducted jointly by CIABOC and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). He added that, under the Anti-Corruption Act, CIABOC can obtain the assistance of the Attorney General in such investigations.
The Deputy Solicitor General further informed court that CIABOC had recorded a statement from former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa regarding the holding of a SriLankan Airlines board meeting at the Speaker’s official residence and the overseas whereabouts of another suspect, Shamindra Rajapaksa.
Statements had also been recorded from two other individuals, identified as Susanta Chaminda Ratnayake and Dimuthu Sanjaya, court was told.
According to the prosecution, the investigation dates back to 2012. The first suspect, Kapila Chandrasena, has since died, while the second suspect, Priyanka Neomali Wijenayake, is reported to have fled to Australia and the third suspect, Shamindra Rajapaksa, to the United States.
The prosecution also told court that photographs involving Namal Rajapaksa and a witness identified as Nimal Perera had been obtained and were being examined as part of further investigations.
Deputy Solicitor General Bandara said CIABOC’s Director General had submitted a certificate under Section 149 of the Anti-Corruption Act. He argued that, where such a certificate has been submitted, bail could only be granted if exceptional circumstances are established.
He also informed court that steps had been taken through Interpol to obtain a Red Notice concerning Shamindra Rajapaksa, while action was being taken to obtain a similar notice concerning Priyanka Neomali Wijenayake.
He said the CID had submitted investigation files to the Attorney General’s Department and that authorities were studying the material with a view to completing the investigation and filing indictments against the suspects.
