The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (19) ordered the further remand of former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa until next Monday (22).
The case was postponed until that date as Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanka S. Bodaragama, who is presiding over the trial, was on leave today.
Rajapaksa, who is currently in custody over a corruption-related allegation, was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. The Court is expected to deliver its order regarding his bail application on the same day (22).
The charges against him relate to property belonging to the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority, including a building allegedly constructed illegally on land at Sewanagala and Kiriibbanwewa, which was damaged during the protests on May 9, 2022.
It is alleged that Rajapaksa, while refusing to pay compensation for the damaged property, exerted undue influence on certain government officials attached to the Damage Assessment Office, pressuring them to arrange for compensation payments.
As a result, he is accused of committing the offence of corruption by securing compensation amounting to Rs. 8.85 million, and of misusing property belonging to the Mahaweli Authority, thereby committing an offence under the State Property Act.
