Corruption : Shasheendra Rajapaksa remanded

Former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa, who was arrested in connection with corruption allegations, has been remanded until 19th August.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court remanded Shasheendra Rajapaksa after he was arrested by the Bribery Commission earlier today. 

According to the Bribery Commission, the former State Minister was arrested in connection with a probe into corruption and the misuse of a property belonging to the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority.

In a statement, the Bribery Commission said Shasheendra Rajapaksa is accused of illegally constructing a farm building on land belonging to the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority, located near the Kiriibbanwewa reservoir in Sevanagala.

Following the destruction of this building during the ‘Aragalaya’ public protests on 09 May 2022, it was later confirmed that the land belonged to the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority. 

Despite this, Rajapaksa is alleged to have pressured relevant officials, misusing his authority, to secure approval for the reconstruction of the building. 

The Bribery Commission says these actions constitute charges of corruption, conspiracy, and illegal occupation of state property.

Shasheendra Rajapaksa was arrested on charges under Section 5(1) of the amended 1982 Act No. 12, as per the 1999 Act No. 28, which addresses offences related to the misuse of state property. (Islandnews)