Sugeeshwara Bandara further remanded

The Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena rejected the bail application filed on behalf of Sugeeshwara Bandara, the leader of the Nava Janatha Peramuna and former private secretary to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and ordered him to be further remanded until 22 July today (08) over an incident of obtaining salary funds for two posts under the presidential expenditure head.

Reading out the five-page bail order in court, the Magistrate informed that the suspect's bail is rejected since this investigation is conducted under the Offences Against Public Property Act.

The bail order further noted:

"Charges are levelled against the suspect for misappropriating state funds by utilising them for political activities. It is mentioned that the suspect drew salaries from two jobs. Submissions state that an amount exceeding Rs. 220 million belonging to the Special Projects Bureau was misappropriated in this manner. Furthermore, investigating officers mentioned that there are over 135 employees in the said Special Projects Bureau, and they were appointed to those positions based on political affiliations.

Accordingly, investigating officers state that further investigations are conducted regarding the suspect in terms of Section 4 of the Offences Against Public Property Act No. 12 of 1982. Moreover, the facts presented by the investigating officers cannot be considered exceptional circumstances. As investigating officers state that investigations are still ongoing, I reject the suspect's bail application."

Making submissions to the court regarding the incident, the Central Criminal Investigation Bureau stated that a statement was recorded again from former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in connection with this case.

The Magistrate - What are the further investigations to be conducted regarding this incident?

The Police - "My Lord, statements were recorded from two directors who worked at the Special Projects Bureau in connection with this incident. Statements need to be recorded from others as well."

The Magistrate - It was mentioned on the previous court date, too, that this individual used these funds for political purposes. Did you investigate that?

The Police - Investigations are being conducted regarding that.

The Magistrate ordered the suspect to be remanded again until 22 July and postponed the case until that date after considering the submissions.