Sri Lanka's Attorney General has instructed the Criminal Investigation Department to name SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa as a suspect in a money-laundering inquiry linked to alleged financial irregularities in the purchase of aircraft for SriLankan Airlines.
The Attorney General has directed the Criminal Investigation Department to designate Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa as a suspect in connection with alleged money-laundering and financial irregularities stemming from the SriLankan Airlines Airbus procurement, according to official court filings made on September 14. The Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris informed the Fort Magistrate's Court of the designation during proceedings, noting the action followed the Attorney General's instructions and a joint investigation into the transaction.
Rajapaksa has been designated a suspect under Section 3 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act No. 5 of 2006. The suspect designation follows his arrest by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on September 4 after a statement recording session lasting approximately five hours. He was remanded in custody pending court review.
Authorities have alleged that Rajapaksa accepted a USD 8 million bribe in connection with the aircraft procurement deal. Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena ordered that Rajapaksa be produced before court on September 16, with remand custody extended until September 18 for further proceedings in the ongoing investigation.