Court to deliver Namal Rajapaksa’s bail ruling in Krrish case next week.
COLOMBO – The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court is set to deliver its order on the bail application filed by parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, elder son of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, in connection with the alleged Krrish transaction on November 3.
The announcement was made when the bail application, submitted by Rajapaksa’s lawyers citing the medical conditions of his parents, was taken up before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama on Wednesday (28).
Appearing for the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), Assistant Director (Legal) Thanuja Bandara objected to granting bail, arguing that Rajapaksa’s release could adversely affect the ongoing investigation.
Bandara told court that two witnesses who had previously been reluctant to disclose information relating to the investigation had subsequently provided further statements after Rajapaksa and co-suspect Janaki Siriwardena were remanded.
According to Bandara, the witnesses had earlier given statements on two occasions but had withheld certain information due to fears for their own safety and that of their families. They had later disclosed additional details, saying they felt able to speak freely while the suspects remained in custody.
Bandara said a document containing the statements had been submitted to court and stressed the need to ensure that witnesses could provide information without fear or pressure.
She further argued that the medical conditions of Rajapaksa’s parents did not constitute exceptional grounds for granting bail, noting that other family members could care for them and that Rajapaksa himself had no reported medical condition. CIABOC therefore urged the court to reject the application.
Appearing for Rajapaksa, President’s Counsel Ali Sabry disputed Bandara’s interpretation of his earlier remarks that those who act as oppressors today could become the oppressed tomorrow.
Sabry said his comments had been misunderstood and referred to public statements by the President concerning the anticipated delivery of court judgments in cases involving a list of 50 individuals. He argued that the judiciary and CIABOC must remain independent and that judicial decisions should not be influenced by the executive.
Citing Article 13(5) of the Constitution, Sabry emphasized that every person was presumed innocent until proven guilty and said the principle applied to Rajapaksa despite the charges filed against him.
He also argued that Rajapaksa should neither receive preferential treatment because of his political views nor face discrimination, adding that all citizens were equal before the law.
Sabry further submitted that Rajapaksa had spent approximately 50 days in remand custody and questioned why bail should not be considered in a bribery case carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years.
Referring to the medical conditions of Rajapaksa’s parents, Sabry told court that his mother had undergone heart surgery on Tuesday (27), while his father was in a critical condition, arguing that the circumstances warranted consideration as exceptional grounds for bail and requested the court to release his client.
After considering submissions from both parties, the Chief Magistrate postponed the announcement of the decision on the bail application until November 3.
The case involves allegations including that Namal Rajapaksa received a bribe of Rs 70 million from the Krrish company, where Siriwardena had served as a director.
Rajapaksa and Siriwardena remain in remand custody until November 6 in connection with the case.
-ENCL
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