Namal has no escape due to international evidence - revealed during the court hearing

Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, stated before Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasekara that steps would be taken to file charges without delay against Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa and other suspects in connection with the alleged bribery and money laundering incident that occurred during the purchase of Airbus aircraft for SriLankan Airlines. The Magistrate, stating that the order on the bail application submitted on behalf of Mr. Namal Rajapaksa, who is currently in remand custody in connection with this incident, would be announced later, ordered the suspect to be further remanded until the 23rd.

When the complaint related to the incident was called, prison officials produced Mr. Namal Rajapaksa before the court, and officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) submitted a progress report on the investigations. The Deputy Solicitor General, representing the Attorney General, stated that both the Bribery Commission and the Criminal Investigation Department are conducting a joint investigation under the Money Laundering Act regarding the process of purchasing wide-body aircraft for SriLankan Airlines, and that Mr. Namal Rajapaksa has been named as the fourth suspect in it.

Investigations have revealed that after SriLankan Airlines entered into an agreement to purchase 16 wide-body aircraft from Airbus in France, and while two aircraft had already been received in the country, a company named "Big Solution" was established in Singapore under the name of Priyanka Niyomali, the wife of former CEO Kapila Chandrasena, and fraud was committed by obtaining 1,454 Euros (2 million US dollars). All extracts from the extensive investigations conducted with the assistance of Australia, France, Singapore, and the United States regarding this incident have already been submitted to the Attorney General.

Investigations have also revealed that 160,400 Euros were transferred from the said Singaporean company to the account of Shamindra Rajapaksa, son of former Minister Chamal Rajapaksa, and that his company received 6 million rupees and cheques worth 13 million rupees. Furthermore, the Attorney General's Department revealed to the court that Nimal Perera, a witness in this case, went to Australia due to pressure after giving a statement under Section 127 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and has informed through an affidavit that he is unable to remain there either.

The Deputy Solicitor General stated that Airbus officials have visited the country several times and provided statements, and that forensic audit reports and Airbus company emails have revealed how suspect Namal Rajapaksa acted, and that there is specific evidence provided and confirmed through international cooperation. Meanwhile, in connection with the bribery charge in this incident, Colombo Chief Magistrate has remanded Mr. Namal Rajapaksa until the 18th. The court was informed that although there is information that the second suspect in the incident, Priyanka Niyomali, is in Singapore, and the third suspect, Shamindra Rajapaksa, is in America, they have not yet been arrested, and since the investigations are in their final stage, charges will be filed without delay based on the Attorney General's instructions.

President's Counsel Anil de Silva, appearing for suspect Namal Rajapaksa, argued that his client, being a politician, has no need to hide abroad. The President's Counsel pointed out that his client was remanded by the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court on the pretext of a meeting, and that individuals cannot be remanded at the government's will, but rather according to the provisions of the Bail Act. He further stated that his client is not guilty merely because Nimal Perera deposited money into an account, and requested that bail be granted under any conditions.

After considering the submissions from both parties, the Magistrate ordered suspect Namal Rajapaksa to be further remanded until the 23rd, and instructed the Criminal Investigation Department to report on the progress of the investigations related to the incident on that day.