Trial-at-Bar Sought in Airbus Case Against Namal

COLOMBO (News 1st); Investigations into the cases filed against Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa under the Bribery Act and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in connection with the alleged receipt of a Rs. 100 million bribe linked to the Airbus Scandal have been completed.

The Attorney General informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court that steps are being taken to seek directions from the Chief Justice to have the matter heard before a permanent Trial-at-Bar on the basis of a consolidated indictment.

Accordingly, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, informed court that the relevant request would be forwarded to the Chief Justice either today or tomorrow.

Meanwhile, President's Counsel Shavindra Fernando, appearing for Namal Rajapaksa, once again sought bail on behalf of his client.

Here's a translated extract of the submission made by President's Counsel Shavindra Fernando:

"Your Honour, the prosecution has informed court today that investigations into this matter have been completed. The prosecution has also stated that it is now ready to file indictments. This may be considered a special circumstance in deciding whether bail should be granted to the suspect. Furthermore, I have been informed that both the suspect's mother and father are currently hospitalised. His father is receiving treatment at a private hospital, while his mother is undergoing treatment in the cardiac unit of the National Hospital in Colombo. I have also been informed that his mother is due to undergo open-heart surgery. He is the eldest son in the family. In these circumstances, I respectfully request that these matters also be considered as special grounds for granting bail to the suspect."

Having considered the submissions, the Chief Magistrate rejected the bail application and ordered that the suspect be remanded until October 28.