Trio including Rakhitha Rajapakshe further remanded

Rakhitha Rajapakshe, Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s former Horana organiser Charith Abeysinghe, and Aruna Sri Chathuranga, a former director of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Pvt) Ltd, were remanded further until July 28 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today (17).

The suspects were arrested by the Bribery Commission over allegations of demanding and obtaining a 120 million rupee bribe from the wife of alleged organised criminal Harak Kata to facilitate his transfer from Boossa prison.

The Magistrate also ordered that the ruling on granting bail will be delivered on that date.

Appearing in court for the Bribery Commission, Assistant Director of Legal Anusha Sammandapperuma stated that the second suspect in this case, Rakhitha Nirmala Rajapakshe, submitted an affidavit to the Bribery Commission outlining matters regarding bail yesterday.

The Assistant Director informed the court that she did not intend to present oral arguments on the matter today and would instead submit them to the court in writing.

Furthermore, on the previous court date, lawyers representing the suspects requested that a statement be recorded from the complainant in this case, Maheshika Maduwanthi.

Following this, she sent a video recording containing her statement to the Bribery Commission, the Assistant Legal Director informed the court.

The facts contained in the video footage sent by Maheshika Maduwanthi, the wife of 'Harak Kata', were presented to the court.

The Assistant Director of Legal stated:

 "In connection with this case, the wife of Harak Kata, Maheshika Maduwanthi, provided us with a video. As stated in it, she mentioned that she gave this bribe money to the suspects. Furthermore, Maheshika Maduwanthi sent recordings of telephone conversations regarding the payment of this bribe to the Bribery Commission."

Presenting further facts to the court, the Assistant Director of Legal stated that information revealed several high-ranking police officers are also involved in this case.

"Facts reveal that the money obtained through bribery was directed to several high-ranking police officers through a Buddhist monk. Further investigations are being conducted regarding this."

Additionally, a complaint was received by the Bribery Commission alleging that these three suspects are involved in another similar bribery incident, the Assistant Director of Legal informed the court.