Former Krrish director remanded over alleged Rs 70 million bribe to Namal Rajapaksa
COLOMBO – Former Krrish Group director Janaki Siriwardena was remanded until October 6 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court over allegations that she paid a Rs 70 million bribe to MP Namal Rajapaksa in connection with a proposed development project at Transworks Square in Colombo Fort.
Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama also authorized officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) to record a statement from Rajapaksa, who is currently in remand custody as a suspect in the investigation.
Siriwardena was arrested by CIABOC on Thursday (24) and produced before court the same day. The Commission said its investigation began following a written complaint and uncovered allegations that the payment was made to expedite arrangements to provide land at Transworks Square to Krrish Transworks Colombo (Pvt) Ltd. for a joint development project.
CIABOC alleged that the money was transferred through a bank account belonging to Nimal Perera, who is currently in Australia. The Commission said it needed further documents and banking information from the Krrish Group and alleged that Siriwardena had not adequately cooperated with the inquiry.
The court was told that Siriwardena had served as a director alongside Indian nationals Amit Katyal and R. Gupta, and was familiar with the company’s operations, finances and board meetings.
CIABOC said it had sought statements from Katyal and Gupta, who are in India, but had received no response to requests sent by email and registered post. It requested arrest warrants against the two men. The Magistrate directed investigators to appear in court on October 2 to provide evidence before the request is considered.
Opposing the remand request, Siriwardena’s lawyer, Attorney-at-Law Amila Dissanayake, argued that an indictment had already been filed against Rajapaksa in the Colombo High Court over the same Rs 70 million. The defence said that the case concerned an alleged breach of trust involving funds purportedly obtained to promote rugby, and that Siriwardena had been named as a witness and had cooperated with investigators.
The defence also cited Siriwardena’s family circumstances, including her children’s ages and her daughter’s upcoming GCE Ordinary Level examination, as grounds for bail.
CIABOC maintained that the bribery investigation was separate and that it had the legal authority to investigate the alleged offence. The Magistrate rejected the bail application, ruling that sufficient special grounds had not been established.
The court also ordered prison authorities to facilitate CIABOC officers recording a statement from Rajapaksa. The case was postponed until October 6.
–ENCL
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