Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara refuted misleading reports regarding the recent arrest of Yoshitha Rajapaksa, who was remanded for two days under the Money Laundering Act and later granted bail.
The Minister said that various reports had questioned the government’s actions, accusing them of following the practices of former governments.
“Public have become accustomed to media theatrics where individuals are arrested, handcuffed, and remanded for about a month before being released. However, being granted bail does not mean he was acquitted,” Nanayakkara clarified.
The Justice Minister explained that Yoshitha Rajapaksa had not been named as a suspect until recently due to certain political influences. He said that, as part of the judicial process, a statement is recorded before a suspect is produced in court.
According to the provisions of the Bail Act, granting bail is a routine process if the suspect does not interfere with investigations, flee the country, or has no prior convictions, the Minister said.
Responding to criticisms about the absence of handcuffs during the arrest, Nanayakkara stated, “A suspect being handcuffed is not a critical factor. Media outlets have raised doubts about the Attorney General and the Public Security Minister. However, all these concerns will be addressed within a month, as a case will be filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa under the Money Laundering Act.”
The Minister urged the public not to be swayed by exaggerated reports. “Watch us over the next two or three months as we take action. You can then judge for yourselves whether the NPP government is following the old ways,” he said.
Yoshitha Rajapaksa was arrested after giving a statement to the CID in connection with an investigation into disputed land in Kataragama.
The case also involves his grandmother, Daisy Forrest Wickremesinghe, commonly known as ‘Daisy Achchi,’ from Sirimal Pedesa in Ratmalana. (Newswire)