Namal Rajapaksa indicted on 24 charges over Airbus transaction

Daily Mirror reports that Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama directed that Namal Rajapaksa remain in custody until he appears before the Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar in a case involving alleged bribery linked to the Airbus deal. Newswire reports that the order was made when the case was heard on October 27 and set his appearance for the following day. Hiru News (සිංහල) also gives October 28, while Daily Mirror gives October 29.

Newswire reports that indictments were filed at the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar against Rajapaksa and three other people, alleging money laundering and receipt of a Rs. 100 million bribe connected with the Airbus transaction. Newswire says Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara advised the magistrate that the Chief Justice had approved the filing; the indictment, he said, contains 24 charges and names 59 witnesses.

Newswire reports that the magistrate directed that a report on the Trial-at-Bar proceedings be sent to the Magistrate’s Court by October 30. Newswire also says Bandara indicated October 27 was expected to be the final occasion for the case to be heard by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, after it was referred to the higher court.