No direct email exchange between Namal Rajapaksa and Airbus, says defence lawyer Manoj Gamage

Defence lawyer Attorney-at-Law Manoj Gamage has stated that there was no direct email exchange between Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa and Airbus in relation to the controversial SriLankan Airlines aircraft transaction, claiming the prosecution’s case relies primarily on a statement given by controversial businessman Nimal Perera.

Speaking to journalists outside court, Attorney-at-Law Manoj Gamage emphasised that none of the emails produced before court contains Namal Rajapaksa's name. He explained that the email exchanges referred to during proceedings were between several officials connected to the company and do not establish any involvement by Rajapaksa in receiving a bribe.

Attorney-at-Law Manoj Gamage alleged that certain sections of the government are attempting to distort court proceedings and present them to the public in a misleading manner. He also rejected reports that money connected to the transaction had been transferred to an account belonging to Shameendra Rajapaksa, describing those reports as false.

According to the defence lawyer, the principal evidence being relied upon against Namal Rajapaksa is a statement given by businessman Nimal Perera to the authorities. He argued that under the law of evidence, a person cannot be convicted of an offence solely on the statement of an alleged accomplice without corroborating evidence.

The defence has further questioned the credibility of Nimal Perera’s evidence in the case, challenging the reliability of his statements in court and questioning whether any independent evidence exists to establish that the alleged funds were subsequently handed over to Namal Rajapaksa.

Attorney-at-Law Manoj Gamage also alleged that the Public Property Act is being misused for political purposes against Namal Rajapaksa. He added that even if Rajapaksa were to remain in custody, it would not prevent the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna or the political movement surrounding it from continuing its activities.