Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna National Organiser and Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa has been remanded until September 18, 2026, after being arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption in connection with an alleged bribery transaction linked to the procurement of aircraft for SriLankan Airlines.
Rajapaksa was produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama following his arrest on September 4.
The court subsequently ordered that he be remanded until September 18.
CIABOC alleges that the investigation concerns an approximately Rs.100 million bribe connected to transactions involving the acquisition of Airbus aircraft for SriLankan Airlines.
According to information attributed to the Commission, its investigation concerns funds allegedly linked to payments made through accounts in Singapore.
CIABOC has said the investigation was based on several sources of evidence, including statements obtained from a Sri Lankan businessman, information provided by Airbus officials in France, documents and other material gathered during the investigation.
The Commission alleges that Rajapaksa received a total equivalent to approximately Rs.100 million from a Sri Lankan businessman on several occasions during 2014 and 2015.
These are allegations made by investigators and have not been established as findings of guilt by a court.
Rajapaksa has denied wrongdoing and has publicly stated that he is prepared to face an independent investigation and challenge allegations through the legal process.
The fact that he has been arrested and remanded is established.
Whether a bribe was received, the circumstances of any financial transfers and criminal responsibility remain matters for investigation and judicial determination.
The case forms part of the wider scrutiny surrounding aircraft transactions involving SriLankan Airlines and Airbus.
However, the present proceedings concern specific allegations against Rajapaksa and should not be reported as proof that he committed the alleged offence.