Namal Returns From Maldives, Appears in Court & Released on Bail

COLOMBO (News 1st); MP Namal Rajapaksa was released on bail today (29) after surrendering to the Hambantota District Magistrate’s Court, following an arrest warrant issued for his failure to appear in a case related to a 2017 protest against the Hambantota Port deal.

Rajapaksa was named as the 35th respondent in a case involving charges of unlawful assembly, disobedience of court orders, damage to three jeeps, causing public disorder, obstruction of duties, and setting fire to a public road during a protest held on October 6, 2017, opposing the port’s transfer to Chinese control.

The warrant was issued yesterday (28) after Rajapaksa failed to attend the scheduled hearing. He had reportedly left for the Maldives and returned to Sri Lanka this (29) morning before presenting himself to court.

The case has been rescheduled for January 26, 2026, for further proceedings.