Airbus Procurement Case: Namal Rajapaksa Granted Bail

01-Oct-2026

.

The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court ordered the release on bail of Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, who had been arrested and remanded in connection with an alleged controversial transaction relating to the procurement of Airbus aircraft for SriLankan Airlines and allegations of corruption.

Accordingly, the Fort Magistrate ordered that the suspect be released on a cash bail of Rs.500,000 and two personal sureties, each valued at Rs.100 million.

A travel ban was also imposed on suspect Namal Rajapaksa, and the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration was ordered to be informed accordingly. A bail condition was also imposed requiring him to refrain from exerting pressure on witnesses.

The case was taken up before Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasekara on September 30, 2026.

When the case was taken up on the previous occasion, the Magistrate had directed the Criminal Investigation Department to clarify three matters before considering the bail application submitted by suspect Namal Rajapaksa.

Accordingly, the Magistrate had sought clarification on whether the case pending before the Fort Magistrate’s Court would be consolidated with the bribery and corruption case pending before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court; whether steps would be taken to transfer this case to the Colombo Magistrate’s Court; and whether the Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption had submitted a certification under Section 149 of the Anti-Corruption Act in relation to the case filed by the Commission before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court concerning the incident.

When the case was taken up yesterday, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, appearing for the Criminal Investigation Department, made submissions before the court.

“Your Honour, I intend to provide clarification regarding the three matters raised by your court during the previous hearing. Accordingly, no decision has so far been taken regarding the consolidation of this case with the case pending before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.”

He further stated:

“The investigating officers had to travel to Australia and record the witness’s statement at the Sri Lankan Embassy there. The witness has also stated that he had received threats even in Australia. He has provided statements regarding this to both the Criminal Investigation Department and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.”