The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has been informed that former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa suffers from insomnia and hence requires medical assistance for his condition.
The information was disclosed when Shasheendra Rajapaksa, who is in remand custody in connection with corruption and the misuse of a property belonging to the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority, was presented before the Court yesterday.
During the case hearing, Rajapaksa’s lawyers informed the court that, in the event he is not medically assisted for insomnia, he could face high blood pressure, leading to death.
The lawyers also informed the court that Rajapaksa was scheduled to take the first-year exam of the Law Degree at Buckinghamshire University in October this year.
Pointing out that continuously placing his client in remand custody could affect his chances of attending the examination, the lawyers requested the court to consider this as a key factor in deciding bail.
Taking into consideration the facts presented, Colombo Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali ordered Shasheendra Rajapaksa to be remanded until 26th August.
The Bribery Commission arrested Rajapaksa on 06th August in connection with a probe into corruption and the misuse of a property belonging to the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority.
Shasheendra Rajapaksa 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’ public protests on 09 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. (Newswire)
