The Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court has granted bail to Rakitha Rajapaksa, Charith Abeysinghe, and Aruna Sri Chathuranga in connection with an alleged bribery scheme involving underworld figure Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne. The three were arrested on June 25 and had been remanded pending today's bail hearing.

The Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court today approved bail applications for three individuals accused of involvement in a corruption scheme linked to imprisoned underworld figure Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne, known as 'Harak Kata'. The released suspects are Rakitha Rajapaksa, son of former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa; Charith Abeysinghe, a former Samagi Jana Balawegaya organizer for the Horana electorate; and Aruna Sri Chathuranga, a former director of Airport and Aviation Services. Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama imposed bail conditions including two personal sureties of Rs. 1 million each, a cash bail of Rs. 100,000, and a foreign travel ban for each suspect.

The three were arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on June 25 and remained in custody until today's decision. According to investigators, the alleged scheme involved soliciting bribes from Madushika Madhuwanthi, the wife of the detained criminal, ostensibly to secure his transfer from Boossa High Security Prison and protect him from harm in custody. Sources differ on specific figures: CIABOC claims an initial demand of Rs. 500 million was reduced to Rs. 200 million, with Rs. 120 million paid as an advance, though one source mentions the demand being reduced to Rs. 300 million.

Investigators allege the suspects travelled to Dubai on March 25, 2023, where they met with Madhuwanthi and collected the bribe money. After the promised interventions allegedly failed to materialize, Madhuwanthi demanded repayment, and the suspects reportedly refunded Rs. 20 million through an intermediary. According to CIABOC, the investigation began following an anonymous complaint, and both Madhuwanthi and Harak Kata himself have submitted statements to authorities.