Maligakanda Magistrate Janitha Roshani Perera today rejected an anticipatory bail application filed by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s wife, Shiranthi Rajapaksa, seeking an order preventing her arrest.

President’s Counsel Anil Perera appeared for Shiranthi Rajapaksa, while State Counsel Samadari Piyasena appeared on behalf of the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID). FCID officers, including Police Constable Pushpakumara, were also present before court.

The allegations relate to Rs. 10 million transferred by the National Savings Bank in 2010 to a “Siriliya Saviya” account maintained at its Suduwella branch, following a written request stating that the funds were intended to purchase a CT scanner for the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children in Colombo.

The allegation is that the funds were subsequently misappropriated.

Making submissions before court, the State Counsel argued that the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court had no jurisdiction to consider the anticipatory bail application since the facts relating to the matter