Rakitha, Chatith and Aruna further remanded till 17 July

Saturday, 4 July 2026 00:45 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama yesterday ordered that Attorney-at-Law Rakitha Nirmala Rajapakshe, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Horana Organiser Charitha Wasantha Kumara Abeysinghe and former Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd., Director Varushahennadige Aruna Sri Chathuranga be further remanded till 17 July over an alleged Rs. 120 million bribery case.

The three suspects were arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over allegations that they demanded and accepted a Rs. 120 million bribe from the wife of an alleged organised crime figure Nadun Chinthaka (Harak Kata) in return for securing benefits for him.

Rejecting oral bail applications, the Magistrate held that no exceptional circumstances had been presented to justify granting bail. However, the Court said the defence was free to file a written bail application, which would be considered in due course.

The Magistrate also observed that, based on the material currently before the Court, there was no basis to conclude that the suspects should remain in remand till the conclusion of the trial, adding that bail could be considered if exceptional facts and circumstances are presented in a future application.