Former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa has been further remanded until Sept. 22 by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.
The case was postponed to next Monday due to the absence of Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanka S. Bodaragama, who is currently on leave.
Rajapaksa was ordered to remain in custody until that date, when a decision on his bail application is also expected.
The former state minister 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’ protests in 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.
Stating that these actions constitute charges of corruption, conspiracy, and illegal occupation of state property, the Bribery Commission arrested him on charges of offences related to the misuse of state property. (Newswire)