Sri Lanka court rulings this week included bail for Namal Rajapaksa, warrants, acquittals, remand orders and major criminal case developments.
COLOMBO — Sri Lanka’s courts delivered a series of significant rulings and procedural orders over the past week, covering cases involving politicians, former public officials, business figures, a national cricketer, organised crime suspects and major financial investigations.
Among the most closely watched developments were bail for MP Namal Rajapaksa in the Airbus-linked investigation, his continued remand in the Krrish case, the acquittal of former Minister Udaya Gammanpila, warrants issued in several high-profile matters, and fresh orders connected to financial crime and organised-crime investigations.
Namal Rajapaksa Granted Bail in Airbus Case
The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court granted bail to Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna MP Namal Rajapaksa in the investigation linked to the controversial Airbus procurement for SriLankan Airlines.
Rajapaksa was released on:
- Cash bail of Rs. 500,000
- Two sureties of Rs. 100 million each
- A foreign travel ban
The Magistrate also warned that bail could be cancelled if Rajapaksa attempted to influence or intimidate witnesses.
Although granted bail in the Airbus investigation, he remained in remand custody in connection with separate proceedings, including the Krrish transaction case.
In that case, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption has reported facts concerning an alleged Rs. 70 million transaction linked to the Krrish project.
The court has also rejected a request to issue warrants against two Indian directors connected to the Krrish matter after finding that the material presented was insufficient at that stage to justify the orders sought.
Aravinda de Silva’s Rs. 40 Million Bail Bonds Forfeited
Another development in the Airbus investigation involved former Sri Lankan cricket captain Aravinda de Silva and his wife, who had stood as sureties for Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake.
Wijenayake, the wife of late former SriLankan Airlines executive Kapila Chandrasena, is a suspect in the Airbus investigation and has failed to appear before court.
The Fort Magistrate’s Court ordered the forfeiture of two bail bonds worth Rs. 20 million each, amounting to Rs. 40 million.
Counsel representing the sureties informed court that Rs. 20 million would be paid immediately, with additional time granted to settle the remaining Rs. 20 million.
A warrant remains in force against Wijenayake over her failure to appear before court.
Udaya Gammanpila Acquitted in Share Case
Former Minister Udaya Gammanpila was acquitted and released by the Colombo High Court in the long-running case concerning company shares belonging to Australian businessman Brian Shaddick.
Gammanpila had been accused of criminal breach of trust involving approximately Rs. 21 million through the alleged use of a forged power of attorney.
Colombo High Court Judge Nadee Aparna Suwandurugoda ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.
The court accordingly acquitted him of all charges.
Yoshitha Rajapaksa Money Laundering Trial Postponed
The Colombo High Court also postponed proceedings in the money laundering case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa.
The Attorney General alleges that Rajapaksa committed offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in connection with the purchase of five plots of land in Dehiwala and Ratmalana valued at more than Rs. 73 million.
Rajapaksa, who is currently on bail, appeared before court.
Further hearing was postponed because the President’s Counsel appearing for the defence was indisposed.
Warrants and Arrest of Gnanasara Thero
Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero was taken into custody on October 3 after warrants had been issued in separate court proceedings.
Police said the arrest was carried out by a team from the Colombo Crimes Division while the Thero was staying at a Buddhist monastery.
One warrant related to his failure to appear before court in proceedings connected to a sentence imposed over remarks made at a media conference.
Separate legal proceedings have also arisen from a contempt of court case, including a warrant and travel restrictions.
Following his arrest, Gnanasara Thero was taken to the Colombo Crimes Division ahead of further court proceedings.
Warrant Issued for Chamika Karunaratne
Sri Lankan cricketer Chamika Karunaratne was also the subject of a warrant after failing to appear before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.
The matter concerns a maintenance complaint filed by a female airline pilot in relation to a child she alleges was fathered by Karunaratne.
Karunaratne has denied being the child’s father.
The warrant was issued when he failed to attend proceedings, although subsequent reports indicated that he was in Japan on national duty at the Asian Games and that his absence had not been properly communicated to court.
The case is scheduled to be taken up again later.
Thilini Priyamali Ordered Arrested
The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court also ordered the arrest and production of businesswoman Thilini Priyamali in connection with a financial fraud case.
The order followed concerns over the individuals appearing as sureties.
Court was informed that the persons who appeared had reportedly provided bail in another case and were not the sureties linked to the proceedings being heard.
Several cases involving Priyamali and other accused persons remain before court.
Kehelbadda Padme Seeks Protection
Remand prisoner Kehelbadda Padme raised serious concerns over his safety while appearing before court through video technology.
He alleged that attempts had been made on two occasions to administer cyanide to him while he was held at Welisara Prison.
The court ordered prison authorities to submit a report on the allegation.
Investigators have also taken steps to send handwriting found in eight notebooks allegedly linked to a drug network, together with audio recordings connected to the Ganemulla Sanjeewa murder investigation, to the Government Analyst.
The allegations concerning attempted poisoning remain subject to verification and should not be treated as established fact until the relevant investigation is completed.
Rs. 24 Billion Illegal Money Transfer Investigation
Investigators also updated court on a major alleged illegal foreign-currency transfer operation.
Authorities are examining 2,844 suspicious transactions involving more than Rs. 24 billion.
The inquiry relates to five companies suspected of sending foreign currency overseas under the guise of importing goods.
Seven suspects connected with the wider investigation have been further remanded until October 15.
Investigators have told court that computers and documents have been seized as part of the inquiry.
Chinese National’s Rs. 20 Million Robbery Case
Proceedings also continued in the investigation into the alleged robbery of Rs. 20 million from a Chinese national.
Five suspects, including the son of former State Minister Shantha Bandara, have been linked to the investigation.
Authorities informed court that CCTV footage relevant to the case had been sent to the Government Analyst for examination.
The case was postponed until November 25.
Treasury USD 2.5 Million Investigation
In another financial investigation, the Criminal Investigation Department was directed to update court on progress relating to a technical committee report concerning an alleged USD 2.5 million irregularity connected to the Treasury.
The matter is due to return to court on December 16.
Bribery-Related Arrests and Remand Orders
Several bribery cases also came before the courts.
A police constable accused of accepting a Rs. 5,000 bribe in Seeduwa was remanded.
Separately, the Registrar of the Minuwangoda Magistrate’s Court was arrested in connection with an alleged bribery incident involving an attempt to influence the release of a detained person.
The allegation has been linked in reporting to the wife of former politician Sarana Gunawardena.
Those allegations remain before the legal process and have not been established as final findings of guilt.
Ten-Year Sentence in Human Trafficking Case
The Colombo High Court imposed a 10-year term of rigorous imprisonment on a three-wheeler driver convicted of trafficking a young Uzbek woman to Sri Lanka under the pretext of employment and forcing her into prostitution.
The court also imposed a fine.
The Attorney General prosecuted the case under the relevant provisions of the Penal Code, with the prosecution establishing the charges beyond reasonable doubt.
Life Imprisonment in Heroin Case
In a separate narcotics case, the Colombo High Court sentenced a woman to life imprisonment in connection with heroin trafficking.
The case involved 4.90 grams of heroin.
The sentence followed her conviction under Sri Lanka’s drug laws.
Wanathavilluwa Explosives Case Moves Toward Trial
The Wanathavilluwa explosives case also returned to court during the week.
Two defendants informed court that they were prepared to plead guilty in the case involving the alleged stockpiling of explosives and other material before the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.
The prosecution concerns six defendants and allegations linked to extremist activity associated with Zahran Hashim.
Following the latest developments, the matter was fixed for proceedings before a three-judge High Court bench.
A Week Dominated by Accountability and Procedure
Taken together, the week’s rulings demonstrate the range of legal proceedings now moving through Sri Lanka’s courts, from politically sensitive corruption cases to financial crime, organised crime, drug trafficking and human trafficking.
Some defendants were granted bail. Others remained in remand custody. Warrants were issued in several cases, while one former minister was acquitted after the prosecution failed to meet the required burden of proof.
Several other matters remain unresolved and will return to court over the coming weeks and months.
For each, the decisive questions will continue to be determined through evidence, legal argument and judicial findings rather than political expectation or public speculation.
