Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Sri Lanka Makes Special Prison Arrangements for Namal Rajapaksa
Namal Rajapaksa is a Sri Lankan opposition politician.
He was arrested on September 4 by an anti-corruption commission.
A court ordered that he remain in custody until September 18.
Investigators are examining an alleged USD 800,000 corruption case involving aircraft bought for SriLankan Airlines.
Rajapaksa is being held in Colombo Remand Prison.
Prison officials gave him extra security, home-cooked food, and permission for three visitors each day.
His father and mother visited him.
His political party says the case is meant to hurt the opposition and disrupt a planned rally.
The government’s anti-corruption authorities are pursuing the case.
Namal Rajapaksa was arrested on September 4 and remanded until September 18 over an alleged USD 800,000 corruption case.
The case concerns the purchase of wide-bodied Airbus aircraft for SriLankan Airlines during his father’s presidency.
Authorities strengthened security around Rajapaksa’s cell and approved home-cooked food and three visitors daily.
His party requested that prison authorities escort him to Parliament during its four-day sitting beginning Tuesday.
The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna called the case politically motivated and linked the arrest to a planned anti-government rally.
- Who
- Namal Rajapaksa, an opposition leader and the son of former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa, was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.
- What
- He was remanded in an alleged USD 800,000 corruption case involving the purchase of wide-bodied Airbus aircraft for SriLankan Airlines.
- When
- He was arrested on September 4 and remanded until September 18; the report was published on September 7.
- Where
- He is being held at Colombo Remand Prison in Sri Lanka.
- Why
- The arrest followed questioning over the alleged aircraft-purchase corruption case, while his party says it was politically motivated and intended to weaken the opposition.
Anti-Corruption Case
Political-Motivation Allegation
Reason for arrest
Anti-Corruption Case
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption arrested Rajapaksa after questioning him over an alleged USD 800,000 corruption case linked to Airbus aircraft purchases for SriLankan Airlines.
Political-Motivation Allegation
The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna says the case is politically motivated and connected to the party’s planned anti-government rally in Anuradhapura.
Effect on the opposition
Anti-Corruption Case
The arrest and remand are presented as part of an ongoing corruption investigation.
Political-Motivation Allegation
The SLPP says the government is trying to disrupt its September 12 rally and weaken its opposition campaign.
Parliament attendance
Anti-Corruption Case
Rajapaksa remains remanded under the court order until September 18.
Political-Motivation Allegation
The SLPP has asked the Speaker to direct prison authorities to escort him to Parliament while the House is sitting.
- Arrest date
- September 4
- Remand period
- Until September 18
- Alleged amount
- USD 800,000
- Detention site
- Colombo Remand Prison
- Special arrangements
- Strengthened cell security, home-cooked food, and three visitors daily
- Political party
- Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)
- Parliament request
- The SLPP asked for Rajapaksa to be escorted to Parliament during its four-day sitting