The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court (MC) yesterday (27) that indictments have been filed before a Permanent Trial-at-Bar against Opposition Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa and several other defendants in connection with the controversial Airbus deal. Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, appearing on behalf of the CIABOC, informed the Court that the indictments comprise 24 charges against the defendants. 

Rajapaksa was brought to the Hulftsdorp Courts Complex (Aluthkade) yesterday in connection with the controversial Airbus deal. When the case was taken up on 13 October, the Court ordered that Rajapaksa be remanded until yesterday after considering the facts presented. The order was issued by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S Bodaragama after considering submissions made by officers of the CIABOC and the suspect’s lawyers.

Rajapaksa, who is currently in remand custody in connection with the controversial Airbus deal, has been ordered to be produced before the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar today (28). Chief Magistrate Bodaragama also ordered that a report on the matter be submitted to the MC on 30 October. The Chief Magistrate further directed that the suspect remain in custody until he is produced before the said Court.

Meanwhile, the Colombo MC has directed the CIABOC to present its submissions today regarding the bail application filed on behalf of Rajapaksa, who is currently in remand custody over the controversial Krrish deal. President’s Counsel M.U.M. Ali Sabry, appearing on behalf of Rajapaksa, filed a motion seeking bail. The CIABOC subsequently requested additional time to present its submissions on the bail application. Rajapaksa has been further remanded until today by the Colombo MC in connection with an alleged bribery case involving the Krrish Group.