The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court has refused bail to MP Namal Rajapaksa and former Krrish Group director Janaki Siriwardena, remanding both until 6 November in the Krrish transaction case.
The court rejected the bail applications of both suspects, according to reports of the proceedings. The case concerns a transaction involving the Krrish Group.
Namal Rajapaksa’s father, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, has since written him a letter, which was made public. In it he recalled that when his son sought permission to enter politics in 2010, he told him to be prepared for prison and hardship.
“If you want to enter politics, do so. But be prepared to go to prison and face hardships,” the former President wrote, recalling that advice. He said it came from his own experience of being imprisoned on what he described as baseless allegations soon after entering politics, before Namal was born.
Mahinda Rajapaksa urged his son to keep faith in the judiciary. “Whatever anyone says, place your trust only in the judiciary,” he wrote, adding that it had been his only source of confidence during his own imprisonment.
The former President also wrote that he and his wife, Shiranthi Rajapaksa, are receiving treatment at Nawaloka Hospital, where Namal was born, and that Namal’s younger brothers, Yoshitha and Rohitha, are looking after them. A spokesman for the family said on Thursday that Shiranthi Rajapaksa’s first heart surgery had been successful.
He also urged Namal not to seek revenge on political opponents if he returned to power, writing that children are not responsible for what their parents do. “Not taking revenge is the way and tradition of the Rajapaksas,” he wrote.
Mahinda Rajapaksa said that in his view the family had been unfairly blamed despite its part in ending the war, and he asked his son to keep believing that Sri Lankans are a grateful people. He also said one case against Yoshitha Rajapaksa stemmed from his decision to join the Navy.
Background
In Sri Lankan criminal cases, a suspect arrested by police or an investigating agency is produced before a magistrate, who may grant bail or order that the suspect be held in remand custody until the next hearing date. Remand orders are routinely extended at each hearing until the investigation is complete or bail is granted. A remand order is not a finding of guilt.
Namal Rajapaksa is a Member of Parliament and is currently held in remand custody in connection with ongoing bribery investigations, according to the reports. Newswire has also reported that MP Chamara Sampath was further remanded on Thursday in a separate case concerning phosphate.
What it means
Namal Rajapaksa will remain in custody at least until the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court takes up the case again on 6 November, when the court can extend the remand or consider fresh bail applications.
The case is a criminal investigation, and the suspects are entitled to a presumption of innocence until a court decides otherwise. Readers who want to follow the case can expect further updates on the next hearing date.
