ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Justice Minister Nanayakkara has signaled possible court filing of charges against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son Yoshitha for alleged money laundering within one-month.
Yoshitha Rajapaksa was arrested on Saturday over suspected money laundering on a land ownership deal. However, on Monday (27), he was granted bail with two surety bonds of Rs.50 million each.
The new National Power Front (NPP)-led ruling party has been criticised after a court granting bailout to the former president’s son’, with some negative social media comments amounting the NPP government to the previous administrations which failed to take actions against Rajapaksas.
“I want to give a certificate that it is not happening,” Justice Minister Nanayakkara said in a recorded video.
“A person getting bail does not mean he is acquitted from the charges. Bail is granted according to the provision of the bail Act,” he said.
“For instance, the money laundering case with regard to Yoshitha Rajapaksa took place eight years back. So far, he was not named as a suspect. We can understand the political reasons why it did not happen.”
“So before a person is charged by the court, it is a must to have a suspect’s statement in the courts. After considering all these, the Attorney General has ordered the police to produce this person (Yoshitha) to record a statement after considering as the suspect. That is the normal procedure.”
He said the court can grant bail if a person does not breach bail conditions, if he does not leave the country, there is no public uproar if he comes out, and if he does not have any previous court cases proven him guilty.
“This is only a bail and he has not been acquitted from the legal case. This is why people suspect the police minister and the Attorney General. All these doubts will move away within the next one-and-half month or two because the court will hear the case,” the Minister said.
“The court will file charges within the next one month.”
“The arrest was part of the court case. The court has listened to both parties and granted bail. We urge the public not to be worried about what’s being told in the media.”
“Just wait with patience for the next 2-3 months to see what we are doing. Then you yourself can decide if the NPP government is going on the same footstep of the previous governments or a new path. Don’t be in a hurry for decision making. What happened was we had no need to lock up somebody in jail for political revenge by denying bail.” (Colombo/January 27/2025)
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