Rakitha Rajapakshe, Charith Abeysinghe and another further remanded

Former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe’s son, Rakitha Rajapakshe, former Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Horana organiser Charith Abeysinghe, and former Executive Director of Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka Limited, Aruna Sri Warushahennadige, have been further remanded until July 17 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

The three suspects were arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on June 25 and produced before the court in connection with an alleged Rs. 120 million bribery case linked to the transfer of underworld figure Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne, alias “Harak Kata,” from Boossa Prison.

According to the allegations, the suspects are said to have solicited and accepted a bribe from Madushika Madhuwanthi, the wife of “Harak Kata,” in 2023 while in Dubai.

It is alleged that the suspects initially demanded Rs. 500 million in exchange for arranging the removal of “Harak Kata’s” detention orders, preventing his alleged killing by police, transferring him from Boossa High-Security Prison to another prison, and securing his release from ongoing investigations and related legal proceedings.

The alleged demand was later reduced to Rs. 200 million, of which an advance payment of Rs. 120 million was reportedly requested and allegedly received.