A motion seeking bail on exceptional grounds for Namal Rajapaksa in the Krrish case, which centers on allegations regarding the acceptance of a Rs. 70 million bribe, was taken up before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. President’s Counsel Ali Sabry, appearing on behalf of the suspect, submitted an urgent application requesting bail due to severe, life-threatening health emergencies affecting the suspect’s parents.
During his submissions, President’s Counsel Ali Sabry informed the court that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the suspect’s father, is suffering from depression and recurring high blood pressure, requiring constant care and attention after being hospitalized for treatment. Sabry explained that the responsibility of caring for him had previously fallen to the suspect’s mother, Shiranthi Rajapaksa, who is now also critically ill and hospitalized with a serious heart condition.
Medical examinations revealed that the main artery supplying blood to Shiranthi Rajapaksa’s heart is blocked, posing a severe risk of completely cutting off the heart’s oxygen supply route. Having already undergone an angiogram and one surgical procedure to implant a pacemaker, she is scheduled to undergo open-heart surgery at 4:00 p.m. today. Emphasizing that this second operation is life-threatening and that her survival remains uncertain, Sabry stated that today may be the last time Namal Rajapaksa, the eldest son residing in the same household, could see his mother alive. He urged the court that remand custody should not function as a punitive measure.
Appearing on behalf of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), Assistant Director Legal Thanuja Bandara stated that she had not received prior notice of the motion and only learned of it while attending court on a separate matter. Bandara requested time to file extensive written submissions, arguing that under the Anti-Corruption Act and a certificate issued by the Director General of the Bribery Commission under Section 149, the suspect must remain in remand custody until investigations conclude unless exceptional circumstances are established. She added that the certificate itself cannot be challenged.
In response, Ali Sabry clarified that the defense was not challenging the Section 149 certificate at this stage, reiterating that the urgent medical realities placed before the court solely constituted the exceptional circumstances required to grant bail.
Key Developments
- President’s Counsel Ali Sabry filed a motion before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court seeking bail for Namal Rajapaksa in the Rs. 70 million Krrish bribery case.
- The defense cited critical health conditions concerning former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Shiranthi Rajapaksa, who is hospitalized with a blocked coronary artery and scheduled for life-threatening open-heart surgery.
- CIABOC Assistant Director Legal Thanuja Bandara noted a lack of prior notice and stated that under Section 149 of the Anti-Corruption Act, exceptional grounds must be formally established to bypass mandatory remand.
- Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama noted that the court retains authority to determine exceptional circumstances and directed CIABOC to present its position tomorrow.
After hearing both sides, Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama observed that while a detailed bail application had been submitted previously, the medical developments presented today were newly introduced. Affirming that the court holds the jurisdiction to assess whether these facts constitute exceptional circumstances, Magistrate Bodaragama directed CIABOC to convey its formal position tomorrow, after which an order on the bail application will be delivered.
If artery is blocked insert a stent immediately.
Or a bypass is the alternative.