The Bribery Commission has filed indictments before the Colombo High Court against former Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne over corruption allegations tied to a sand dredging project at the Kirinda Fisheries Harbour.

The indictments allege that while serving as Minister of Fisheries, Senaratne improperly awarded the contract for sand removal at the harbour to a Korean company, causing a financial loss of more than Rs. 20 million to the state.

The Bribery Commission alleges that the deal violated procurement norms and resulted in significant losses to public funds. Proceedings are scheduled to move forward before the Colombo High Court. (Newswire)

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Former Minister of Health Rajitha Senaratne says Sri Lanka is facing a shortage of over 380 medicinal drugs, including essential medicines, at present.

Speaking to reporters, Rajith Senaratne revealed that all hospitals, including state hospitals, have stopped conducting blood tests over the last four months.

“They are conducting it through laboratories. The blood tests are done from outside, with patients spending money. During my tenure, I prohibited tests from being conducted outside of the hospital. All tests were done in-house for free. But today, they are being conducted for money,” he said. 

Rajitha Senaratne said that patients undergoing surgery are now provided with a list of medical supplies, adding; “ A doctor recently told me that a patient is provided with a list amounting to at least Rs. 50,000 for a bypass surgery, while some could go as high as Rs. 100,000.”

The former Health Minister questioned how patients are managing under such circumstances, having to face sudden expenses of between Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 100,000 for medical expenses. (Newswire)

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The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has dismissed a fundamental rights petition filed by former Minister Rajitha Senaratne against MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena.

In his petition, Rajitha Senaratane had sought to invalidate the election of Rohitha Abeygunawardena as a Member of Parliament for the Kalutara District at the last General Election.

When the case was heard today (30), the Court issued its ruling rejecting the petition after a review of submissions from both parties. (Newswire)

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The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has granted bail to former minister Rajitha Senaratne, who was in remand custody over corruption allegations. 

Rajitha Senaratne was released on a cash bail of Rs. 50,000 and two sureties of Rs. 02 million each.

The  Colombo Magistrate’s Court also imposed an overseas travel ban on Rajitha Senaratne. 

In early August, the Colombo Magistrate’s Court issued a warrant for Senaratne’s arrest after the Bribery Commission alleged that he had failed to respond to multiple summons and had avoided giving a statement over a controversial contract awarded during his tenure as minister.

The case is tied to a sand dredging project at the Kirinda Fisheries Harbour, which was awarded to a Korean company. The Bribery Commission maintains that the deal caused a financial loss of more than Rs. 20 million to the state.

Reporting that Senaratne remains missing, his phones switched off, and his residence found empty, the Bribery Commission alleged that he was deliberately evading arrest. 

However, Rajitha Senaratne appeared before the Colombo High Court on 29th August and was produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, after which he was remanded until today. (Newswire) 

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Former Minister Rajitha Senaratne has been remanded until 09 September by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. 

Senaratne, who was evading arrest over a case before the court, first appeared before the Colombo High Court today, having previously been issued a notice.

He was then remanded until being presented before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

Senaratne was later remanded until September after being produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. 

In early August, the Colombo Magistrate’s Court issued a warrant for Senaratne’s arrest after the Bribery Commission alleged that he had failed to respond to multiple summons and had avoided giving a statement over a controversial contract awarded during his tenure.

The case is tied to a sand dredging project at the Kirinda Fisheries Harbour, which was awarded to a Korean company. The Bribery Commission maintains that the deal caused a financial loss of more than Rs. 20 million to the state.

Reporting that Senaratne remains missing, his phones switched off, and his residence found empty, the Bribery Commission alleged that he was deliberately evading arrest. (Newswire)

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The Colombo High Court today ordered former Minister Rajitha Senaratne to be remanded until he is presented before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

The order was issued after Rajitha Senaratne appeared before the court, per the notice issued to him to appear in court today. 

Rajitha Senaratne, who was wanted by the Bribery Commission for a probe, had failed to respond to their summons, with the court being informed that he was evading arrest. 

In early August, the Colombo Magistrate’s Court issued a warrant for Senaratne’s arrest following submissions by the Bribery Commission. 

Investigators alleged that the former minister had failed to respond to multiple summons and had avoided giving a statement over a controversial contract awarded during his tenure.

The case is tied to a sand dredging project at the Kirinda Fisheries Harbour, which was awarded to a Korean company. The Bribery Commission maintains that the deal caused a financial loss of more than Rs. 20 million to the state.

Reporting that Senaratne remains missing, his phones switched off, and his residence found empty, the Bribery Commission alleges that he is deliberately evading arrest. (Newswire)

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Former Minister Rajitha Senaratne, who has been evading arrest over the past few days, has arrived before the Colombo High Court today. 

A notice had been issued for Rajitha Senaratne to appear in court today, after he was wanted by the Bribery Commission for a probe and had failed to respond to their summons.

In early August, the Colombo Magistrate’s Court issued a warrant for Senaratne’s arrest following submissions by the Bribery Commission. 

Investigators alleged that the former minister had failed to respond to multiple summons and had avoided giving a statement over a controversial contract awarded during his tenure.

The case is tied to a sand dredging project at the Kirinda Fisheries Harbour, which was awarded to a Korean company. The Bribery Commission maintains that the deal caused a financial loss of more than Rs. 20 million to the state.

Reporting that Senaratne remains missing, his phones switched off, and his residence found empty, the Bribery Commission alleges that he is deliberately evading arrest. (Newswire)

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The Colombo High Court today issued notice on a revision petition filed by former Minister Rajitha Senaratne, who is seeking to suspend the arrest warrant issued by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

Senaratne’s legal team also sought an interim order to suspend the warrant, but the High Court declined, saying only notice would be issued to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), which is cited as the respondent.

President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa, representing Senaratne, informed the court that his client will appear before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on 29th August as required.

The petition is scheduled to be heard again on 10th September. (Newswire)

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The Bribery Commission submitted a motion before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court seeking an order to confiscate the assets of former minister Rajitha Senaratne, who is currently evading arrest.

Filing the motion before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanka Bodaragama today, the Bribery Commission sought to confiscate assets worth Rs. 30 million in Colombo registered under Rajitha Senaratne’s name. 

The motion filed by the Bribery Commission is set to be taken up for consideration by the Colombo Chief Magistrate today. 

Earlier this month, the Colombo Magistrate’s Court issued a warrant for Senaratne’s arrest following submissions by the Bribery Commission. 

Investigators alleged that the former minister had failed to respond to multiple summons and had avoided giving a statement over a controversial contract awarded during his tenure.

The case is tied to a sand dredging project at the Kirinda Fisheries Harbour, which was awarded to a Korean company. The Bribery Commission maintains that the deal caused a financial loss of more than Rs. 20 million to the state.

Reporting that Senaratne remains missing, his phones switched off, and his residence found empty, the Bribery Commission alleges that he is deliberately evading arrest. (Newswire)

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Officials from the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today visited former minister Rajitha Senaratne’s house in Malabe to display the warrant issued for his arrest. 

Court officials were seen putting up the notice at Senratne’s residence in Thalahena, while announcements were made using a loudspeaker on the charges filed against him. 

Earlier this month, the Colombo Magistrate’s Court issued a warrant for Senaratne’s arrest following submissions by the Bribery Commission. 

Investigators alleged that the former minister had failed to respond to multiple summons and had avoided giving a statement over a controversial contract awarded during his tenure.

The case is tied to a sand dredging project at the Kirinda Fisheries Harbour, which was awarded to a Korean company. The Bribery Commission maintains that the deal caused a financial loss of more than Rs. 20 million to the state.

Reporting that Senaratne remains missing, his phones switched off, and his residence found empty, the Bribery Commission alleges that he is deliberately evading arrest. (Newswire)

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The petition filed by former Minister Rajitha Senaratne, seeking an order suspending the arrest warrant issued against him, has been rejected by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. 

Senaratne yesterday (18) filed a motion before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court seeking an order to temporarily suspend the arrest warrant issued against him in connection with a Bribery Commission investigation.

Earlier this month, the Colombo Magistrate’s Court issued a warrant for Senaratne’s arrest following submissions by the Bribery Commission. 

Investigators allege that the former minister had failed to respond to multiple summons and had avoided giving a statement over a controversial contract awarded during his tenure.

The case is tied to a sand dredging project at the Kirinda Fisheries Harbour, which was awarded to a Korean company. The Bribery Commission maintains that the deal caused a financial loss of more than Rs. 20 million to the state.

Authorities have since confirmed that Senaratne is missing, with investigators reporting that his phones remain switched off and his residence found empty. The Bribery Commission alleges that he is deliberately evading arrest. (Newswire)

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The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today issued an arrest warrant for former Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne after the Bribery Commission informed the court that he was evading the recording of a statement.

The Bribery Commission previously told the court that Senaratne is wanted over a sand mining deal that allegedly caused a Rs. 26.2 million loss to the state.

Officials said he had disconnected his phone, abandoned his residence, and ignored multiple summons. (Newswire)

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The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court has rejected an anticipatory bail application filed by former Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne.

Senaratne filed the application seeking to prevent his arrest by the Bribery Commission over a controversial sand mining deal that allegedly caused a Rs. 26.2 million loss to the state.

The Bribery Commission told the court that Senaratne had been evading arrest by disconnecting his phone, vacating his residence, and ignoring multiple summons. (Newswire)

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Sri Lankan politician Chathura Senaratne says the incumbent government will be toppled, whether or not his father, Rajith Senaratne, is arrested. 

“We will definitely topple this government. Whether my father is arrested or not, this government will be toppled,” he said. 

Chathura Senaratne made the remarks while responding to questions raised by reporters today.

His comments come against the backdrop of his father, former minister Rajitha Senaratne, having filed an anticipatory bail application before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today.

Rajitha Senaratne has filed the anticipatory bail application seeking to prevent his arrest by the Bribery Commission in connection with a sand mining deal that had allegedly caused an Rs. 26.2 million loss to the state. (Newswire)

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Former minister Rajitha Senaratne has filed an anticipatory bail application before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, seeking to prevent his arrest by the Bribery Commission.

The anticipatory bail has been filed after the court was informed on Friday by the Bribery Commission that Rajitha Senaratne was evading arrest in connection with a sand mining deal that caused an Rs. 26.2 million loss to the state.

Bribery Commission officials told the court that Senaratne has disconnected his phone, abandoned his residence, and ignored multiple summons, adding that a medical report submitted through his lawyer was deemed invalid.

The Bribery Commission had proceeded to seek a warrant, but the magistrate noted that such a request requires formal documentation. 

The court had then reminded the Bribery Commission that it has the authority to arrest suspects and instructed it to act accordingly. (Newswire)

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Former Minister Rajitha Senaratne says if Ranil Wickremesinghe was still serving as the President, Sri Lanka could have had a chance to remove the 44% tariff imposed on Lankan exports to the US through a single phone call.

Speaking during an interview with a YouTube channel, the former minister claimed that the tariff had been imposed during the Trump administration on the advice of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.

He further stated that Elon Musk is one of the closest friends of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and that the strong friendship could have been used to negotiate relief for Sri Lankan exporters.

Rajitha Senaratne stressed that Sri Lanka lost that opportunity since Wickremesinghe is no longer the President. 

He added that even if the 44% tax could not have been fully removed, it could have at least been reduced to around 24% if Wickremesinghe had remained in office. (Newswire)

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The Colombo High Court has acquitted former Minister Rajitha Senaratne and two others in connection with the controversial ‘white van’ press conference held in 2019.

On September 12, 2022, Senaratne and former State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) chairman Rumi Mohommed Azeem pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. 

The press conference, held in the lead-up to the 2019 Presidential Election, featured two individuals, Anthony Douglas Fernando and Athula Sanjeewa Madanayake, who made several explosive claims. 

Fernando alleged that he had been a “white van” driver involved in abductions, while Madanayake claimed to have transported gold from LTTE-held areas. 

The statements sparked controversy, alleging incidents of abductions, assassinations, robberies, and forced disappearances during former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s administration.

Senaratne, who served as Health Minister was arrested for organizing the press conference and was later released on bail after the court observed that the charges levelled against Senaratne were bailable offences.

In 2023 a witness in the case claimed that he was forced by a Director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at that time to give false testimony before the Magistrate Court. (Newswire)

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Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Kalutara District MP Rajitha Senaratne has revealed a possible alliance between SJB presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa. 

According to MP Senaratne, SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has allegedly assured Namal Rajapaksa of the position of Opposition Leader in exchange for support in the presidential election. 

“The alliance between the Rajapaksas and Sajith is seen as opportunistic and aimed at securing Sajith’s victory in the presidential election, with the intention of appointing Namal as the opposition leader. Allegations have surfaced that Sajith has guaranteed no repercussions for the Rajapaksas in exchange for their support, leading to accusations of deception and dishonesty. 

“Recently, there have been discussions between Mahinda Rajapaksa, Namal Rajapaksa, and Sajith. It is reported that Sajith has pledged his support to help Namal become the opposition leader with the ultimate goal of positioning him as the opposition candidate in the next presidential election within the next five years. The Rajapaksas are currently focused on opposing President Ranil Wickremesinghe and are striving to ensure Sajith’s victory in the presidential election, as part of their political strategy,” he said.

MP Senaratne emphasized that despite any efforts to undermine President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s victory in the upcoming election, the President remains a formidable contender. 

He made the remarks while addressing a press conference at President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s political office in Colombo, recently.

SJB MP Rajitha Senaratne’s full statement : 

It seems that many people believe that the main competition in the upcoming presidential election is between the Janata Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and President Ranil Wickremesinghe. However, it should be noted that the JVP is currently in third place with the fewest number of votes. The JVP doesn’t have much influence in the villages, so it’s important to acknowledge the actual situation on the ground. 

Even though SJB is in second place, it’s still in a relatively weak position. There’s a different narrative circulating on social media today, claiming that the JVP is like a bubble – it may seem inflated, but it’s just full of hot air, essentially an illusion. This illusion will likely dissipate by the morning of September 22. 

Some individuals accuse President Ranil Wickremesinghe of supporting the Rajapaksa family despite his efforts to build the country’s economy. There were even rumours at the time about “Ranil Rajapaksa.” If President Ranil Wickremesinghe had indeed shielded the Rajapaksas, would they be opposing the President now? It’s a fact that the Rajapaksas have joined forces with Sajith, forming an unlikely alliance. That’s the reality of the situation.

Some people have accused President Ranil Wickremesinghe of favouring the Rajapaksa family despite his contributions to the country’s economy. It has been suggested that Ranil has protected the Rajapaksas, raising questions about their current actions against the President. 

The alliance between the Rajapaksas and Sajith is seen as opportunistic and aimed at securing Sajith’s victory in the presidential election, with the intention of appointing Namal as the opposition leader. Allegations have surfaced that Sajith has guaranteed no repercussions for the Rajapaksas in exchange for their support, leading to accusations of deception and dishonesty. 

Recently, there have been discussions between Mahinda Rajapaksa, Namal Rajapaksa, and Sajith. It is reported that Sajith has pledged his support to help Namal become the opposition leader with the ultimate goal of positioning him as the opposition candidate in the next presidential election within the next five years. The Rajapaksas are currently focused on opposing President Ranil Wickremesinghe and are striving to ensure Sajith’s victory in the presidential election, as part of their political strategy. (Newswire)

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The National Peoples’ Power (NPP) has filed a complaint with the National Election Commission alleging that former Minister Rajitha Senaratne had threatened Sri Lankan migrant workers against arriving to cast their ballots in the 2024 Presidential Election.

In its complaint filed yesterday, the NPP pointed out that Minister Rajitha Senaratne, who had extended his support for President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming polls, had made the threat in the presence of media, which has now been released on social media.

Pointing out that this was a hindrance to conducting a free and fair election, the NPP points out that it is a violation of election laws. (Newswire)

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Former Minister and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Rajitha Senaratne has pledged his support for President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming Presidential Elections.

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) pledging support to the President has been organized at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo today.

Several politicians and Members of Parliament, including former minister Rajitha Senaratne, are participating in the event. (Newswire)

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