Charith Abeysinghe Freed After Fulfilling Bail Terms

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Horana Organizer Charith Abeysinghe, who was remanded in custody again recently after failing to fulfill bail conditions, was released from prison today after successfully meeting the court-imposed requirements.

Former Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe's son, Rakhitha Rajapakshe, former SJB Horana Organizer Charith Abeysinghe, and former Airport and Aviation Services Director Varusha Hannadige Arun Sri Chathuranga had been arrested and remanded in custody as suspects.

The arrests were made in connection with allegations that they had solicited a bribe of Rs. 500 million from the wife of Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne, alias "Harak Kata," who was being held under detention orders by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The money was allegedly sought in exchange for assisting investigations aimed at preventing Harak Kata's assassination and facilitating the removal of his detention orders and transfer from the Boossa High Security Prison to another prison facility. It is alleged that the demand was later reduced to Rs. 300 million and that an advance payment of Rs. 120 million had been obtained.

When the case was taken up on July 28, Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered that each of the three suspects be released on a cash bail of Rs. 100,000 and two surety bails of Rs. 1 million each.

The Magistrate further directed that the sureties submit sworn affidavits to court confirming that they possess sufficient income or property to cover the value of the bail bonds.

Rakhitha Rajapakshe and Arun Sri Chathuranga, having fulfilled the bail conditions, subsequently left the court premises.

However, Charith Abeysinghe was remanded again after failing to meet the condition relating to the sureties.

Nevertheless, after completing the required bail conditions today, Charith Abeysinghe was granted bail and released from prison.