Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa was ordered to be remanded till August 22 by the Colombo Magistrate Courts over money laundering charges.
Rajapaksa was arrested this morning by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) over money laundering charges in connection to HelloCorp shares bought by him and several others worth Rs. 125 million. Rajapaksa, who is the eldest son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was arrested when he arrived at the FCID to give a statement in connection to the HelloCorp case. Sudarshana Ganegoda who was arrested along with Rajapaksa was also remanded till the 22nd.
Parliamentarian Udaya Gammanpila speaking to the media soon after the court verdict said that the second leg of the political witch hunt against the Joint Opposition has commenced. “I too will go home and get my bags packed because soon the rest of us too will be put inside,” he
Video from Namal’s Facebook
Gammanpila added that several investigation units including the CID, FCID and the Bribery Commission were like factories that are producing various charges. “Unlike in other cases, until we go to courts we don’t even know what the charges against us are. Even when you are suspect of murder, there is a process, and the police first informs you of the charges, but for us we know about the charges only at the courts,” he added.
Last year, JVP Provincial Councilor Wasantha Samarasinghe lodged a complaint claiming that Gowers Corporate Services Pvt Ltd headed by Namal Rajapaksa had purchased shares from HelloCorp.
However, the money that was used to purchase the shares by Rajapaksa and several others could not be legally accounted for, and the FCID in their investigation came to the conclusion that the money was earned in an illegal manner.
This is the second Rajapaksa son who has been charged with money laundering. Yoshitha, the former President’s second son is also currently out on bail on money laundering charges over a case involving the Carlton Sports Network.
jim softy / August 15, 2016
It is Time, if yahapalana govt does something to make the Sri lankan political system a better with respect to politicians. Now, they are almost two years here. Sri lankan political system is a complete fraud. There are no rules, chekces or balances. They are there to steal and to sabotage the country. That game is happening in the open. Presidents and prime ministers are at the forefront of the fraud because they do it or they let that happen and they support it in order to stay ion power.
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Sinchuappu / August 16, 2016
The day these men send one way to Jail is the day of start of giving justice to the nation – no right them to have abused the state funds just because their fatherhad been the head of state. Jackson Anthony or the like for making normal MR to a Royal person him to end up with all power greedy intoxications should also be punished equally. God save srilanka.
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Simon De Silva / August 17, 2016
Yes, that was a trick being played by Rajakashes to animate and get close to Artiste …
Artists in general are being attracted by society.
That Rajakashes abused for their political gains turning gulliable men to unturned idiots. This you just see by interviewing any one coming from such walks of life. Tuk tuk runners helped them earlier, now they have turned their mind sets.
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Samuel Jayaweera / August 16, 2016
This young Rajaakshes has been taught to pay a smile even if he may have done a greater failure. Even if he publicly attack a senior politician, that has lot to do with the way they have been brought up by Mahinda Rajapakshe and his wife. They had no good bringing up…. how could he – today father like son.
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Sinchuappu / August 17, 2016
Hope this is one way let alone this time.
They even today beahve as if they are not trained to tame the law prevailing.
Even if they had gone through all the high profile scandals, according to them, they must not be investigated…. their father theory…
THis man more over called that Rohitha the most abusive gold chain bugger as Aiyya… that show the nature and quality of the politicians they get on with
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Leelawathie / August 17, 2016
Will their mother FORMER first lady bring Punnakku ot his stupid boy next days ?
Either they have to change their Punnakku or change their mind sets.
And mother will also have to face it for her alleged business trips made with colombo society ladies ? May be the gold that the army is reported to have collected from notherners – were auctioned by Shiranthi Rajakashes….
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justice / August 15, 2016
“………………….we don’t know even what the charges are”.
Every rogue knows why he is being arrested.
The Rajapakses had the nation’s wealth under their control and went on robbing.
They ran the economy into the ground.
Anyone having assets more than they could have earned lawfully is guilty, and he/she knows it.
The Rajapakse lackeys are in the law enforcement and justice systems and thus progress is slow.
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S.R.H. Hoole / August 15, 2016
Gammanpila obviously does not know what he is talking about when he says
“Unlike in other cases, until we go to courts we don’t even know what the charges against us are. Even when you are suspect of murder, there is a process, and the police first informs you of the charges, but for us we know about the charges only at the courts.”
Under the last government I was charged in 2011 with the criminal charge of inciting a riot after I reported election malpractices by Gammanpila’s gang of buddies.
It is 5 years now. I am out on bail going periodically to court to hear where these riots were and how I caused them. There is no police report either on any root. The police have no answer and ask for time at every hearing.
It shows how rotten the government that filed the charges was. It also shows how rotten the administration of justice continues to be even after we voted in a new government in high hopes of change.
Alas! Alas!
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Sylvia Haik / August 15, 2016
As Gammanpila says, justice under the old Rajapakse regime was quick. You get hold of the suspect, abduct him or make him disappear. These new fangled justice system is taking much too long to his liking. Joking apart, Rajapakse senior could not have been ignorant of what was going on between his sons and brothers, if not actually enabling them.
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Dankottuwa Manike / August 16, 2016
S.R.H. Hoole
Even the Grease Yakka has gone to sleep since Rajapakse regime is ousted.
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Simon De Silva / August 16, 2016
This Gonthadipila is similar to IBOLA. He has collected sums to run his campaign, but his thoughts have been turned to all virulent to this date. It is just he and et al wants to cover the all abusive men from being arrested.
His case filed by Australian will come to light in next days, there he will have no excuses basta.
The kind of idiotic politicians are the mess in lanken politics.
People that get caught to the kind of men – should be addressed feeding them with facts and the real findings about the alleged men.
As it is the case facts and the related proofs can resolve anything, the vulnerable folks should then turn their minds for good.
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jim softy / August 15, 2016
I read, In Harlem, New York, every teenager feels low if he has not been jailed ever.
In Sri lanka, when politicians go to jail, they feel proud and show off it, Smile.
Why ?
They don’t feel any embarassment that they were caught stealing from the country ?
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Lapatiya / August 15, 2016
CT, Derana and Sirasa official publishers of Namal Baby’s Face book videos and statements. That is nice but these Gondula and Local Ghandi should explain how they earned such a big money to invest in various companies. Instead of talking facts both are giving us BULL SHITS.
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Samuel Jayaweera / August 15, 2016
Sirasa has been not that blunt to do the job sofar.
Even if their Satana is doing a good job, not yet none of above senders have guts to interview Palhora and thieves directly. If a health problem to be treated with a better medication, you need to know the etiology of it – likewise, the journos should get all the bits from Rajaakshes if the issues are to be investigated properly… not just allowing them to prevaricate – if it is a political hunt -for sure, they would have done the job to the manner they Rajaakshes did it with former Army commander today turned cabinet minister Sarath Fonseka. That alone says everything the way it blows is not revengeful agendas:
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Simon De Silva / August 15, 2016
There are enough experts in the country today, that would be able to prove how these men have money laundered that way ?
But for the sakes of deals, they keep silent.
Not that many months or trials would have been ncessary, if the people have been honest from the day 1.
We perfectly know how the run CSN …
We perfectly know how they held Lambogini deals… even the CID could easily find where those Lamboginis are parked hidden today.
All the insufficent articles being pbulished in press yet are deals on deals.
Press men keep silent since they should also earn the millions being supportive all the highly fradulent men stood and standing by former Head of state yet.
Malinda Seneviratne even today, would not see it right as is the case with 2.50 rupee worth journos.
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Lapatiya / August 15, 2016
Now Local Ghandi says he will go home and pack his baggage to go in. May be he knows he is next in the line. This time He should not forget to put his medicine for Gastritis in the baggage.
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Saman / August 15, 2016
[Edited out]
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Backlash / August 15, 2016
The weak and unreliable judicial process in Sri Lanka is once again in focus. The public know this is just one more charade. In the next hearing Namal R will be enlarged on Bail, and, in a few months time, the Case will be forgotten. There is little doubt the young man is guilty of many offences but the system is so sick he will go scott free. The reality is the ruling clique knows the public is asking for blood of ALL rogues. But no action can be taken against the main Rajapakse rogues – because they are able to set the country of fire misleading the gullible Sinhala masses along race and religious lines. The Rajapakses have the Sinhala Buddhist public – and the radical priests – behind them.
At this rate, Sri Lanka will continue to degenerate into a hopeless basket case – thanks to our political and religious leaders.
Backlash
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Julampitiya Amare / August 16, 2016
BACKLASH. 100% AGREE WITH YOUR COMMENT.
SET UP A NEW COURT WITH INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM IS HIGHLY CORRUPTED. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
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Backlash / August 16, 2016
Amare
The International Community may have neither the inclination nor the wish to get involved in our jarawa. If the Rajapakses have inflicted a body blow to destroy our entire system of reasonable governance the majority Sinhala Buddhist population, and our learned Buddhist priests, will have to hold themselves responsible for ruining the country, its present and the future. One more
Zimbabwe, South Sudan, Syria, North Korea or Venezuela is of little concern to the outside world except for the occasional meaningful pallaver. Sri Lanka for most of its people – except a few politician-businessmen and super-rich magnatres – is virtually ruined. The cost of daily food items, medicine, transport, education etc and the despicable quality of the police service, the judicial system are all symptomatic of the terrible decline of a Failed State.
Backlash
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Chandra / August 15, 2016
Apart from this FCID mockery, thinking of checks and balances in a system of governance one would wonder if there isn’t a mechanism in our system to act against bribing parliamentarians with money(people’s money) and other unconventional perks to entice them to support yahapalanaya regime which seems utterly incapable otherwise, of winning their support.
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K.Pillai / August 15, 2016
Udaya Gammanpila’s claim is “Hierarchically he is on par with Namal”. Is he?
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Spring Koha / August 15, 2016
Oh what a fine circus!
More bloody ins and outs than a bridegroom on his honeymoon.
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jehan / August 15, 2016
No jail bird should be a minister. for defrauding the country and murder, these guys should get the maximum penalty. DEATH.
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Upul / August 16, 2016
Aney Paw Udaya ta!
Thothta baba…. has no clue why the law even wants to talk to him!
Amazing, dressed in white, hands clasped together…epitome of purity and innocence. Where is Rambo or Charles Bronson, when you need them!
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Silva / August 16, 2016
The whole nation and the International community are watching carefully to see who are the people trying to help the Rajapaksa criminals get away Scot-free. There is no way around holding these criminals accountable for their crimes. The maximum punishment should be meted out to them. Failing to do so will only take this beautiful nation down the road towards a failed state.
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Shamil / August 16, 2016
why the hell he is laughing?
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Spring Koha / August 16, 2016
He is giving a ‘val hinawa’ because he knows that he has got away with it.
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MOHAMED MARZOOK / August 16, 2016
Perhaps Gammanpila thinks the forms of punishments like white van abduction and disappearance practised under the MR regime would be more suitable for people like Namal and himself.
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Kamal / August 16, 2016
Why you laugh like an idiot.? Going to jail is so healthy? wealthy?
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Mudson Silva. / August 16, 2016
Addressing a public gathering, Professor Sarath Wijesooriya said that he is being questioned over the phone by people, about the doings of the “Yahapalanaya” Government.
Mr. Wijesooriya, who was a pioneer in the social movement that worked to bring in the “Yahapalanaya” government, questioned the government as to whether they have appointed the right people at the right positions. He said that it seemed the same old people who in positions of influence previously, were still in such positions.
He stated that if he were given the power to do so, he will sack 6 Ministers and 11 secretaries against whom people had sent him complaints with sufficient evidence.
6 Ministers namely UNP Side – DEAL DASA RAJAPAKSA, LUXMAN KEERIELLA, VAJEERA BURUWARDENA, SLFP Side, S.O.B SUSIE DISSANAYAKE, DOOMINDA DISSANAYAKA, ARJOONA RANHATOONGE.
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Muslim / August 16, 2016
Is this not karma which all the rouges and crooks are going through ?
What pain and torture the Rajapaksa and his men let loose on others during their heydays.
They were living a life as if Srilanka was only theirs and that they could get anything and everything what they want.
How many were killed and maimed to make the sons and siblings win in sports ,government deals , grab and own
Valuable lands of the rich or poor( if the Rajapaksas wanted it) etc etc .
AND NOW MAHINDA RAJAPAKSA IS FIGHTING TO FREE HIS FAMILY ,AND IS OBSTRCTING PRESIDENT SIRISENA AT EVERY TURN IN RULING THE COUNTRY . THE MASSES ARE ALL SORRY TO OBSERVE PRESIDENT SIRISENA S PLIGHT.
THE PRESIDENT MUST GIVE RAJAPAKSA A GOOD FIGHT.
THE PRESIDENT MUST SILENCE THE GAMMANPILAS ,WEERAWANSA, AND ALL RAJAPAKSAS BANDWAGON
WHO ARE HANGING ON TO HIS TAIL ,TRYING TO ESCAPE .
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F. N. Stein / August 16, 2016
MR and his brothers suffered serious issues with the UN, USA, UK, France, India and many other countries during MR’s decade of dictatorship. They will all love to see MR and his brothers locked up for a long time in The Hague. Ranil is a wimp and does not have the backbone although he has all the evidence necessary. With the strong Christian background in his family Ranil fears a dangerous backlash from Sinhala nationalists and the politicised Buddhist clergy. Gamarala Sira is an unpredictable double-crosser. The only “tough man” in the lot is CBK who would love to settle scores with MR, his Brothers and other pandankarayas in the MR camp.
Frank N. Stein
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Muslim / August 17, 2016
Yes it is only CBK who can give a good fight to MR .
Ranil and Sirisena. are weak and will give into Rajapaksa s scheme. and will one fine day be subject to
Investigation by Rajapaksa and his siblings if they come back to power.
Who knows what their fate will be in Rajapaksa s hand then?
So it is high time they give the Rajapaksas the same medicine which the Rajapaksas prescribed to their opponents.
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confu tao / August 17, 2016
The two Gs gamanpilla and gunawardene , the biggest rogues, crooks and pimps should be locked up with Namal who will enjoy the company of the air hostess who has also been remanded. The crooked lawyers appearing for these crooks should be locked up for making statements outside the court whilst legal proceedings are taking place. You only have to look at their faces and smell the stink that is pouring out of their mouths to realize that that these vermin should be locked up for good.
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jehan / August 18, 2016
gemba should be in jail for fraud.
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