Sugeeshwara Bandara, the former private secretary to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has been further remanded by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court following his arrest over allegations of receiving two salaries from two separate government institutions.
During the court proceedings today (08), Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena rejected the bail application filed on behalf of the suspect.
The Magistrate stated that no exceptional circumstances had been presented by the defence to justify releasing Bandara on bail.
The Central Crime Investigation Bureau presented a further report on the case, informing the court that two statements have been recorded from former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
According to the police, the former President initially stated that he used money from a presidential expenditure head for his private secretary's salary, but later claimed in a second statement that the funds were actually handed over to another individual.
Investigators also revealed that statements have been taken from three directors of the Special Projects division who claimed they did not know each other.
The police requested the court to deny bail because releasing the suspect could lead to witness intimidation, noting that it will take considerable time to record statements from more than 120 employees attached to the Special Project.
The Magistrate questioned the police on whether a definitive list of tasks carried out under the Special Project exists, to which investigators replied that inquiries are ongoing.
The court also questioned the police regarding allegations that project funds had been deployed for politicians, prompting the Magistrate to order a detailed report on that matter for the next hearing before remanding the suspect until 22 July.
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