VISIT OF EX JUSTICE MINISTER TO DUBAI UNDER SCRUTINY

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has informed the court today (03) that former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe had also been in Dubai during the period when suspects, including his son, allegedly accepted a Rs. 120 million bribe from the wife of organized criminal figure Nandun Chinthaka alias “Harak Kata.”After considering the submissions, the Colombo Chief Magistrate had ordered suspects, former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe’s son Rakhitha Rajapakshe, former Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Horana organiser, Charith Abeysinghe, and former Executive Director of Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka Limited, Aruna Sri Warushahennadige to be further remanded until July 17, 2026.

The three suspects are accused of accepting a Rs. 120 million bribe in exchange for facilitating benefits for “Harak Kata” while he was being detained by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).The case was taken up before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court this afternoon (03).Presenting a further progress report, CIABOC Assistant Director (Legal) Anusha Sambandapperuma told court that investigators had established that the three suspects travelled to Dubai between March 25 and March 29, 2023, during which time former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe was also in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), having travelled there on March 21 and returned to Sri Lanka on March 28, 2026.She stated that investigators are now examining the purpose of the former minister’s visit, whom he met during his stay, and whether he had any connection to the alleged soliciting of the bribe.

The commission further informed court that of the alleged Rs. 120 million accepted bribe, Rs. 20 million had later been returned to Harak Kata’s wife through several intermediaries. Investigators also revealed that the money had allegedly entered Sri Lanka through the informal “Undiyal” money transfer system.CIABOC said forensic examinations of call records and WhatsApp messages extracted from the suspects’ mobile phones are ongoing, while investigations are also being conducted into the suspects’ assets under the Proceeds of Crime legislation.The Commission further stated that arrangements are being made to record a statement from Harak Kata’s wife, who is currently overseas, and that a separate investigation is planned into the conduct of CID officers during Harak Kata’s detention after he was brought back to Sri Lanka from Madagascar.

Lawyers representing all three suspects sought bail, arguing that the allegations were disputed and that the legal provisions cited by the prosecution did not justify continued remand.Counsel for Charith Abeysinghe denied the allegations against his client, stating that he had not travelled overseas during the relevant period and that claims regarding properties and vehicles purchased with the alleged bribe money were inaccurate.

President’s Counsel Anil Silva, appearing for Rakhitha Rajapakshe, argued that the offences alleged did not fall within the provisions cited by the prosecution and maintained that the Magistrate’s Court had jurisdiction to grant bail. He also argued that his client was not in a position to interfere with witnesses or the investigation.

However, Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama rejected the defence’s objections, holding that no exceptional circumstances had been presented to justify granting bail at this stage.

The Magistrate emphasized that the court had no intention of remanding the suspects until the conclusion of the trial, noting that fresh bail applications could be made if circumstances changed or before a higher court.

Accordingly, the bail applications were refused, and Rakhitha Rajapakshe, Charith Abeysinghe and Aruna Varunahennadige were ordered to remain in remand custody until July 17, 2026.