Shasheendra Rajapaksa Gets Bail, But Slapped With Travel Ban

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa was released on bail today (14) by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, following his arrest over a high-profile land compensation scandal.

The case was heard before Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama, who ordered Rajapaksa’s release on three personal sureties of Rs. 2 million each and a cash bail of Rs. 50,000. 

The court also imposed a foreign travel ban, preventing the former minister from leaving the country while investigations continue.

Rajapaksa was arrested on August 6, accused of illegally obtaining Rs. 8.5 million in compensation for property allegedly damaged during the 2022 Aragalaya (public uprising). 

The property in question — a building and assets located on land belonging to the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority in Sewanagala — had reportedly been constructed without proper authorization.

Investigators allege that Rajapaksa pressured officials to approve the compensation despite the property being unauthorized and already damaged during the unrest.