Court Rejects Bail, Remands Namal in Airbus and Krrish Cases

COLOMBO (News 1st); Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, who was produced before court today (29) in connection with the Airbus Scandal involving an alleged Rs. 100 million bribe and the Krrish transaction case involving allegations of Rs. 70 million, was further remanded.

The cases were taken up before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.

The court ordered that Namal Rajapaksa be remanded until October 13 in relation to the Airbus Scandal and until October 6 in relation to the Krrish transaction case.

Rs. 100 Million Airbus Scandal Case:

Two cases are being heard against Namal Rajapaksa over allegations that he received a Rs. 100 million bribe linked to a proposed deal to purchase Airbus aircraft for SriLankan Airlines.

One case has been filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over the alleged acceptance of a bribe.

The other case has been filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The case taken up today before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama related to the alleged bribery offence.

Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court that investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the Bribery Commission have now been completed.

He stated that the investigation files and extracts have already been submitted to the Attorney General and that steps are being taken to file a joint indictment covering both investigations.

The Chief Magistrate today delivered the order regarding a bail application that had been made on behalf of suspect Namal Rajapaksa during the previous hearing.

The Magistrate stated that the bail application was being rejected as the defence had failed to present the exceptional grounds required under the provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act to justify the granting of bail.

Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, appearing for the Bribery Commission, made submissions before court.

President's Counsel Shavindra Fernando, appearing on behalf of Namal Rajapaksa, informed court that he intended to make a fresh bail application.

He argued that since investigators had informed court that investigations had been completed, a fresh bail application should be considered on that basis.

The Chief Magistrate directed the defence to study today's bail order and, if necessary, make a fresh application thereafter.

Accordingly, Namal Rajapaksa was remanded until October 13 in relation to the Airbus case.

Rs. 70 Million Krrish Transaction Case:

Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa was also produced before court today in connection with the case being pursued by the Bribery Commission over the Rs. 70 million Krrish transaction.

Rajapaksa was named a suspect in the case yesterday.

Investigating officers from the Bribery Commission told Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama that funds used in connection with the Krrish transaction had been identified by the Indian Government as proceeds derived through money laundering.

Here's an extract of the submissions made by the Officer representing the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption:

"The suspect received two payments of Rs. 35 million each through an individual named Nimal Perera. This has been revealed in the suspect's own statement and has been confirmed by him. State institutions acted with extraordinary speed when allocating the land in question. The Board of Directors approved the proposal within a single day. The Government of India has informed Sri Lankan authorities that illicit funds were used in relation to this project. Although the Central Bank of Sri Lanka had already invested in the land concerned, the Urban Development Authority moved rapidly to transfer it to the Krrish company. At that time, the Minister of Economic Development was the suspect's uncle, Basil Rajapaksa. The Urban Development Authority was under the Ministry of Defence, where another uncle, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, served as Secretary. The President of the country at the time was the suspect's father, Mahinda Rajapaksa. Taking all these facts into consideration, the Director General of the Bribery Commission issued a certificate under the Anti-Corruption Act in relation to the suspect. Indictments will be filed shortly."

President's Counsel Ali Sabry, appearing for Namal Rajapaksa, sought bail on behalf of his client.

Here's an extract of the submissions made by  President's Counsel Ali Sabry:

"The suspect was not arrested and produced before court under the new Anti-Corruption Act. In such circumstances, the certificate issued by the Director General of the Bribery Commission has no legal validity. We respectfully request the court to treat these circumstances as exceptional grounds and grant bail to the suspect."

The first accused in the case, Janaki Siriwardena, a director of the Krrish company, has already been arrested and remanded until October 6.

After considering the submissions made before court today, the Colombo Chief Magistrate ruled that since the first suspect remains in remand custody until October 6, Namal Rajapaksa should also remain in remand until the same date in relation to the Krrish transaction case.