The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has ordered the remand of former State Minister Shashindra Rajapaksa until the 19th of this month, following his arrest by the Bribery Commission.
Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayatunga issued the remand order after considering the submissions made by officials of the Bribery Commission and the legal representatives of the defense.
The case involves compensation related to a public protest that took place on May 9, 2022, during which several properties were damaged — including a building allegedly constructed illegally on a plot of land in the Kiriibban Wewa area, Sevanagala. The land in question is owned by the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority.
Although the compensation for the damages was identified as pertaining to property owned by the Mahaweli Authority, the relevant authorities had denied the compensation. However, Mr. Rajapaksa is accused of having used his official position to exert undue influence on certain government officials attached to the compensation office to obtain the payment.
He was arrested on charges of corruption, conspiracy, and criminal misappropriation of state property belonging to the Mahaweli Authority — offenses that are punishable under Section 5(1) of the Offences Against Public Property Act No. 12 of 1982, as amended by Act No. 28 of 1999.
