Anti-Corruption Body CIABOC Arrests Former President's Son After Five-Hour Interrogation In Colombo
In a major political development shaking the island nation, Namal Rajapaksa, the elder son of former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). The high-profile arrest stems from severe allegations of accepting an $800,000 bribe linked to a controversial aircraft acquisition deal involving SriLankan Airlines and European manufacturer Airbus. The 40-year-old politician was summoned to appear before anti-corruption authorities on Friday, where investigators grilled him for approximately five hours before placing him under formal arrest and transferring him to a Colombo magistrate court for judicial proceedings.
Judicial Custody Ordered As Colombo Chief Magistrate Rejects Bail And Uncovers Singapore Bank Trail
Following his dramatic arrest, Namal Rajapaksa was produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga Bodaragama. Defense counsel Nishantha Dayananda moved an urgent application for bail, which was vehemently opposed by prosecutors and ultimately rejected by the court. Magistrate Bodaragama ordered Namal to be remanded in judicial custody for two weeks pending deeper investigations. According to disclosures made by anti-corruption operatives, the illicit funds originating from the European aviation giant were funneled through sophisticated financial networks, landing in accounts controlled by the accused via intermediary bank channels situated in Singapore during the finalization of the procurement pact back in 2013.
Investigation Widens To Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa Amid Family Defenses And Political Motivations
The widening corruption probe highlights ongoing scrutiny into major state procurement contracts, including the multi-million-dollar Airbus deal that was ultimately canceled by succeeding governmental administrations in 2016. Earlier in May, anti-corruption investigators also interrogated former President Mahinda Rajapaksa regarding his alleged involvement in receiving kickbacks tied to the same agreement. Meanwhile, the Rajapaksa family has strongly rejected all accusations, dismissing the charges as politically motivated vendettas designed to tarnish their legacy. Namal Rajapaksa has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, asserting full cooperation with judicial authorities and stating his readiness to face a fair, transparent investigation to clear his name.
