Remand of Namal Rajapaksa Extended

29-Oct-2026

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A three-judge bench of the Colombo Permanent High Court-at-Bar has ordered that Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa, who faces allegations of receiving bribes in connection with the purchase of Airbus aircraft for SriLankan Airlines, be produced before the court through prison officials on 19 November.

The order was issued when the case was taken up before the bench comprising Presiding Judge Priyantha Liyanage, Thilakaratne Bandara and Nuwan Dhammika Dissanayake.

When the case was called, the accused, Namal Rajapaksa, was produced before the court by prison officials in accordance with an order issued by the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court.

However, the complainant's side was not present in court. Nalin Laduwahetty, President's Counsel appearing for Rajapaksa, informed the court that the defence intended to make a bail application on a date when the complainant's side appeared.

After considering the submissions, the bench decided to take up the case again at 1.45 p.m. on 19 November and ordered that notice be issued to the complainant's side to appear in court on that date.

The bench also ordered that notice be issued to the Registrar of the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court seeking an explanation as to why the original case file had been sent to the three-judge High Court without following the proper procedures.

The case relates to allegations of bribery in connection with the purchase of Airbus aircraft for SriLankan Airlines. It has been filed against MP Namal Rajapaksa, Shaminda Punchi Rajapaksa, B.I.S. Solutions and Priyanka Neomali Wijenayake.