The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today granted bail to three suspects accused in the alleged Rs. 120 million bribery scheme linked to underworld figure Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne, alias ‘Harak Kata’.
Those released on bail are Rakitha Rajapakshe, son of former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe; Charith Abeysinghe, former Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) organiser for Horana; and Aruna Sri Chathuranga, former director of Airport and Aviation Services.
The trio had been in remand custody since their arrest on June 25 over allegations that they solicited and accepted money from Harak Kata’s wife, Madushika Madhuwanthi, in exchange for securing his transfer from Boossa High Security Prison.
According to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), the alleged scheme began in 2023, when Madhuwanthi was approached in Dubai and allegedly asked to pay Rs. 500 million to have Harak Kata’s detention order removed and facilitate his transfer from prison.
CIABOC further stated that the demand was later reduced to Rs. 200 million, of which Rs. 120 million was allegedly paid as an advance.
Earlier this month, Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered the suspects to remain in remand until July 28, when their bail applications were scheduled to be considered. The court today granted bail to all three suspects.
