Bail denied for Shiranthi Rajapaksa after attempting to portray the angiogram as 'open heart surgery'.

The Colombo Magistrate's Court today (13) ordered that former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, who was arrested on suspicion during the investigation into the deposit of Rs. 10 million from the National Savings Bank into the "Siriliya Saviya" account, be further remanded until October 16. The court also stated that no order regarding the bail application would be issued until that date.

She is currently receiving treatment at the cardiology unit of the Colombo National Hospital.

When the case was called before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama, the first suspect, former National Savings Bank Chairman Pradeep Kariyawasam, was present in court. Shiranthi Rajapaksa was not produced in court as prison officials informed the court that she was hospitalized. President's Counsel Anil Silva, appearing on her behalf, stated that his client was a heart patient, had three blocked arteries, and was undergoing open-heart surgery, requesting bail be granted considering it a "special circumstance."

Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, appearing for the Bribery Commission, admitted that she was hospitalized but stated there was no official notification of surgery. At that point, Anil Silva emotionally exclaimed, "Are you saying to keep her in remand even if she dies?" The Magistrate advised him, "Don't be emotional." Subsequently, the President's Counsel amended his statement to "is scheduled to undergo surgery."

The Magistrate adjourned the case until 2 PM and called for a specific report from the National Hospital. After examining the three-page report, he stated the following:

• The suspect has not undergone or planned any surgery. 
• She has only undergone an angiogramexamination. 
• that there is a risk if not treated, 
• and that she cannot be moved out of the hospital, according to the report. 
• The medical board treating her will make a decision on further treatment this afternoon.

The Magistrate, stating that "the court does not wish to keep the suspect in prison," said that a bail order cannot be issued without complete medical reports. He also mentioned that if she were released on bail and subsequently left the hospital, it could create a negative perception of the court. He ordered that further medical reports be submitted on Friday (16) and that the Superintendent of Prisons submit a progress report on her health condition.

After receiving the report, the Additional Solicitor General stated that no special circumstance warranting her bail had been revealed. The President's Counsel, however, argued that it was clear she had a heart condition and that the court had granted bail for less severe illnesses.

The Additional Solicitor General stated that the investigation was being conducted for the first time under Section 70 of the Bribery Act, based on an agreement between the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division and the Bribery Commission. He informed the court of the following facts:

On December 8, 2010, letters were sent from Shiranthi Rajapaksa's letterhead, as the then First Lady, to institutions such as Seylan Bank, National Savings Bank, and Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, requesting funds for the "Carlton Suwa Udana" project to provide a scanner to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children in Colombo. Initially, Rs. 140 million was requested, which was later verbally reduced to Rs. 50 million.

 The Board of Directors of the National Savings Bank approved a donation of Rs. 10 million on December 30, 2010. However, since no such account existed, the money was credited to the "Siriliya Saviya" account at the Maradana Suduwella People's Bank branch. Later, the Chinese government donated a scanner to the children's hospital, which was presented as a donation from the "Siriliya Saviya" organization. That event was held on the birthday of the suspect's son, and

 the first suspect, the bank chairman, was also invited. It is said that the Rs. 10 million remained in that account during that period.
According to the statements of two doctors (also mentioned as former directors) who worked at the children's hospital at that time, the hospital had not made any request to "Siriliya Saviya" for a scanner. A CT scanner was already available at the hospital even then. He stated that it appears the money was obtained for Shiranthi Rajapaksa's personal needs.

He stated that the "Siriliya Saviya" organization was started in 2006 under the name "Shiranthi Navodaya" and its name was changed a few months later. He added that it was not properly registered, accounts and annual reports were not properly submitted, and letterheads with the state emblem and the address and phone number of the Presidential Secretariat were used to request funds. He questioned, "How can a person who does not hold a government position use the state emblem on letterheads?" He also stated that "Siriliya Saviya" was a method of money laundering.

The Additional Solicitor General stated that on September 10, instructions were given to the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division to name the suspect as a suspect and take legal action. He added that she was subsequently admitted to Nawaloka Hospital, then departed for Singapore, and was served a notice under Section 109 at the airport, instructing her to report to the investigation division.

He stated that she remained in Singapore for about twenty days but did not receive treatment there, and heart examinations were only conducted after her remand. He described this as an attempt to create special circumstances, noting that ordinary citizens have to be on waiting lists for such examinations, while she had the opportunity to undergo examinations costing approximately Rs. 5-6 million. He also said that he had not requested her removal from the hospital and remand.

He opposed the bail application, stating that investigations were not yet complete and more suspects were to be arrested. Anil Silva stated that since facts against Shiranthi Rajapaksa had also been reported under the Public Property Act, special circumstances were required for bail.

The case will be called again on October 16.