Yoshitha Rajapaksa Bailed Amid Delays in Investigation
Colombo Additional Magistrate Manjula Ratnayake ordered the release of Yoshitha Rajapaksa, the second son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, on bail in connection with a money laundering case involving a 31.5-perch property with a house valued at Rs. 34 million in Ratmalana.
The Magistrate observed that there was insufficient evidence presented to justify denying bail to the suspect. Additionally, the court questioned the unusual delay of eight years in the investigation, noting that such a prolonged timeframe warranted an explanation. It was also pointed out that the property in question had not been subjected to a prohibition order, a standard step typically taken during such investigations.
The prosecution failed to provide adequate justification for its claim that granting bail to Yoshitha Rajapaksa would lead to public unrest or interfere with ongoing investigations. Consequently, the court ordered his release on bail, with two sureties of Rs. 50 million each. A travel ban was also imposed, and Yoshitha was directed to surrender his passport.
The Magistrate further noted that Yoshitha Rajapaksa was named a suspect only after an eight-year delay, following the 2017 release on bail of the first suspect, Daisy Forrest, his grandmother.
Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peeris, appearing for the CID, argued that investigations revealed the property had been purchased by Yoshitha Rajapaksa under his grandmother’s name for Rs. 24 million. He emphasized that Daisy Forrest, a teacher, lacked the financial capacity to acquire such a property.
President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis, representing Yoshitha Rajapaksa, criticized the prosecution for failing to complete investigations despite eight years of inquiry. He also argued there were no valid reasons to deny bail, raising doubts about the credibility of the investigation. Mendis further highlighted that the first suspect, Daisy Forrest, was granted bail eight years ago, yet the case against his client continued to languish.
