Lawyers representing Attorney-at-Law Rakitha Rajapaksa and Horana SJB organiser Charith Abeysinghe told the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court that their clients suffer from serious medical conditions as they sought bail following their arrest in the alleged Rs. 120 million bribery case linked to underworld figure “Harak Kata.”
Counsel for Charith Abeysinghe told court that his client suffers from severe heart disease, has undergone the insertion of three stents and requires five more. The lawyer argued that Abeysinghe was due to undergo medical tests on the day of his arrest and would not receive adequate medical care in prison.
Meanwhile, counsel for Rakitha Rajapaksa said his client suffers from sleep apnea, warning that the condition could pose serious health risks if he is remanded without appropriate treatment. The lawyer also noted that Rajapaksa is a practising attorney and had court commitments.
The Bribery Commission opposed bail, outlining its investigation into the alleged solicitation of a Rs. 120 million bribe to revoke the detention order of alleged underworld figure “Harak Kata” and facilitate his transfer from Boossa Prison to another prison in 2023.
After hearing submissions from both sides, Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayatunga ruled that no exceptional circumstances had been presented to justify bail and ordered Rakitha Rajapaksa, Charith Abeysinghe and former Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. Director Aruna Sri Chathuranga to be remanded until July 3. (Newswire)