The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (13) that it has sought the Attorney General’s advice regarding legal action against Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa and a group of suspects in a money laundering case.
The case, which was taken up before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, revolves around allegations that Namal Rajapaksa violated the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by investing Rs. 15 million, allegedly obtained through illegal means, into NR Consultancy (Pvt.) Ltd. during his tenure as a Member of Parliament.
During today’s proceedings, Namal Rajapaksa, along with other accused individuals, appeared before the court. CID officials informed the court that the investigation into the allegations has been completed and that the case extracts have been submitted to the Attorney General’s Department. However, they noted that despite the passage of several years, they have yet to receive the Attorney General’s instructions on how to proceed with the case.
In response, the Magistrate scheduled the next hearing for August 7 and instructed the CID to update the court on the Attorney General’s decision by that date.
The case was initially filed against Nithya Senani Samaranayake, Sujani Bogollagama, and Sudarshana Ganegoda, who served as directors of NR Consultancy (Pvt) Ltd during the previous ‘Good Governance’ administration. It is alleged that MP Namal Rajapaksa, the eldest son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, funneled Rs. 15 million into the company, with the funds allegedly obtained through illicit means.
With the case dragging on and legal proceedings delayed due to the lack of prosecutorial direction, the upcoming hearing is expected to determine the next steps in the long-standing money laundering allegations against the MP.
