23 hrs ago
Sri Lankan Court Extends Namal Rajapaksa’s Remand Until October 16
A court in Colombo ordered Namal Rajapaksa and Janaki Siriwardena to remain in custody until October 16.
The case concerns a payment of 70 million Sri Lankan rupees connected to a hotel project that did not get off the ground.
Prosecutors say Rajapaksa used his political influence to help the project get approvals.
Rajapaksa says the money was sponsorship for a rugby event.
He is also being held in separate cases connected to a 2013 aircraft purchase.
His party says the cases are politically motivated.
The government says it is acting on its promise to fight corruption.
A Colombo court extended Namal Rajapaksa and Janaki Siriwardena’s remand until October 16.
The bribery case concerns an alleged 70 million Sri Lankan rupee payment linked to a stalled hotel project.
Prosecutors allege Rajapaksa used political influence to speed up approvals for the project.
Rajapaksa says the money was sponsorship for an international rugby event held in Colombo in 2014.
His party alleges political victimisation, while the government says the cases reflect its anti-corruption pledge.
- Who
- Lawmaker Namal Rajapaksa and former Krrish Group Executive Director Janaki Siriwardena.
- What
- A court extended their remand until October 16 in a case involving an alleged 70 million Sri Lankan rupee bribe.
- Where
- Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- When
- The order was issued on Tuesday, October 6; the year is not stated.
- Why
- The case concerns an alleged bribe connected to a stalled hotel project and claims that Rajapaksa used political influence to expedite approvals.
Opposition party’s position
Government’s position
Whether the cases are politically motivated
Opposition party’s position
The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna says the cases and continued remand amount to political victimisation of Namal Rajapaksa.
Government’s position
The National People’s Power government says action against opposition politicians is consistent with its pledge to clean public life and eradicate corruption.
Purpose of the 70 million rupees
Opposition party’s position
Rajapaksa says the money was sponsorship for an international rugby event held in Colombo in 2014.
Government’s position
Prosecutors allege the money was a bribe connected to the stalled hotel project and that Rajapaksa used political influence to speed approvals.
Key facts
- Remand extended until
- October 16
- Court
- Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court
- Alleged payment
- 70 million Sri Lankan rupees
- Project
- A stalled hotel project
- Rajapaksa in remand since
- September 4, in connection with an Airbus aircraft purchase case
- Separate case
- A money laundering case linked to the same Airbus deal
- Government position
- It says action against opposition politicians follows its 2024 election pledge to clean public life and eradicate corruption.
Sources
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