Charith and Rakitha also gave a part of the money they received from Harak Kata to police chiefs, through a monk.

The Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court yesterday (17) ordered the further remand of three suspects, accused of accepting a bribe of Rs. 120 million from Nadun Chinthaka, known as 'Harak Kata', an organized criminal and drug trafficker, until July 28. The suspects who were thus re-remanded are Rakitha Rajapaksa, son of former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Charith Abeysinghe, former Horana electorate organizer of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, and Aruna Warunahennadige, a former director of the Civil Aviation Authority.

When this case was taken up for hearing yesterday, Ms. Anusha Sambandapperuma, Legal Director of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, informed the court that facts have been revealed about a Buddhist monk who maintained connections with the relevant suspects. She also stated that information has been received that a portion of the bribe money obtained by the suspects was given to a group of high-ranking police officers through this monk.

During the preliminary investigations conducted by the investigating officers, it has been revealed that over 1,300 phone calls were exchanged only among the individuals named as being connected to this incident. Furthermore, information has been received that high-ranking police officers are involved in this bribery incident, and the identity of the monk who allegedly mediated the distribution of money has now been revealed. After confirming the facts regarding this, it is scheduled to be reported to the court on a future date.

In addition, a complaint has been received by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption against these three suspects regarding another instance of bribery, and an investigation into that has also commenced. The Magistrate, after considering the bail applications submitted by the lawyers representing the suspects yesterday and the arguments from both parties, ordered the suspects to be further remanded until the bail order is announced on July 28.