Proceedings have commenced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court against Attorney-at-Law Rakhitha Nirmala Rajapaksa, Charith Wasantha Kumara Abeysinghe, and former Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. director Varushahennadige Aruna Sri Chathuranga over allegations that they solicited and accepted a Rs. 120 million bribe from the wife of an organised crime suspect.
When the case was taken up yesterday (3), Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama postponed further proceedings until 2.00 p.m.
The adjournment was sought by Attorney-at-Law Sanjaya Marambe, who informed court that President’s Counsel Ashoka Weerasuriya, appearing for the first accused, was engaged in proceedings before a higher court.
During the hearing, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption informed court that it had launched an investigation into a trip made by former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe to Dubai between March 21 and March 28, 2023.
According to the Commission, the inquiry relates to Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, who is the father of the second accused, Rakhitha Rajapaksa. No further details of the investigation were disclosed in court.
