Namal Remanded Until September 23
18-Sep-2026.
The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court ordered that Namal Rajapaksa, who was arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in connection with transactions relating to the procurement of Airbus aircraft by SriLankan Airlines, be remanded until September 23.
The case was taken up before Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasekara on September 16, 2026.
Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, who appeared before court during the proceedings, submitted:
“Your Honour, the contents of the investigation relating to this case have been forwarded to the Attorney General, and steps will be taken to file indictments against the suspect without delay.”
Namal Rajapaksa has been named as a suspect in the case. He was produced before court today in accordance with a court order. A statement was recorded from the suspect, who had been in remand custody, on September 14.
The investigation is being conducted under the Anti-Corruption Act in relation to alleged corruption and fraud in the process of procuring 16 Airbus aircraft under an agreement between Airbus of France and SriLankan Airlines.
In connection with that case, the suspect has been remanded by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court until September 18.
The case before this court has been filed against the suspects under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act because, previously, there was no authority under the Anti-Corruption Act to conduct investigations into money-laundering offences. However, the newly enacted Anti-Corruption Act has now vested such authority in the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).
Accordingly, the investigation is being conducted jointly by the Criminal Investigation Department and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.
Investigation documents relating to the case have now been submitted to the Attorney General with international assistance. The documents are currently being reviewed. Therefore, steps will be taken to file indictments against the suspects without delay,” he said.
