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PersonIn custody

Namal Rajapaksa

Listed from published reports. Appearing here is not a finding of wrongdoing. The custody or bail mark follows the dated status line below and may be out of date.

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Details

Role

Member of Parliament (SLPP); presidential candidate in 2024; SLPP national organiser from March 2024

Family

Son of Mahinda Rajapaksa; nephew of Gotabaya Rajapaksa

Court record

Acquitted in the Gowers case (2023); Krrish case pending; arrested 4 September 2026 in an Airbus bribery inquiry; bailed in a related money laundering investigation on 30 September 2026 but held in remand in the bribery matters, further remanded until 27 October 2026 in the Airbus matter as reported on 13 October 2026; on 16 October 2026 he was further remanded until 23 October in the Krrish bribery inquiry, and on 23 October 2026 the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court further remanded him until 6 November; on 14 October 2026 the CID told the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court its money laundering investigation was complete and indictments would be filed in a higher court; on 27 October 2026 the Bribery Commission’s counsel told the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court that an indictment of 24 charges against him and three others over the Airbus transaction had been filed before the Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar, and on 28 October 2026 that court ordered him produced on 19 November; the same day the Chief Magistrate fixed 3 November for the order on his bail application in the Krrish bribery case; on 3 November 2026 the Chief Magistrate granted bail in the Krrish bribery case on cash bail of Rs. 100,000 and three personal sureties of Rs. 5 million each with an overseas travel ban, but he was returned to prison because the Trial-at-Bar had ordered him produced on 19 November in the Airbus case; no conviction reported

Appears on

The Rajapaksa family

Last checked

3 Nov 2026 (what this means)

Coming court dates

6 Nov 2026

Krrish bribery case to be called again in the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court

19 Nov 2026

To be produced before the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar in the Airbus case

18 Nov 2026

Airbus money laundering case to be called again in the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court

11 Feb 2027

Rs. 15 million N.R. Consultancy money laundering case to be called again in the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court

Connections (14)

• Namal Rajapaksa / Son of / Mahinda Rajapaksa
  • AP: “The 38-year-old is the son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the nephew of the ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.”13 Sep 2024 · Associated Press · Sri Lankans' fury forced the powerful Rajapaksa clan out. Now its heir is running for president
  • Reports that Mahinda Rajapaksa wrote a letter to his son while he is in remand custody, urging him to trust the judiciary and not to seek political revenge if he later holds power. The article quotes the former President as writing that he had advised Namal in 2010 to be prepared for imprisonment and hardship if he entered politics.23 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Mahinda pens emotional letter to son Namal, urges not to seek revenge after coming to power
• Namal Rajapaksa / Nephew of / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • AP describes him as the nephew of the ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.13 Sep 2024 · Associated Press · Sri Lankans' fury forced the powerful Rajapaksa clan out. Now its heir is running for president
• Namal Rajapaksa / Member of Parliament and national organiser of / Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)
  • Refers to him as an SLPP Member of Parliament.28 Jan 2025 · Ada Derana · Namal Rajapaksa indicted over 'Krrish' deal
  • Unanimously elected the party’s national organiser in March 2024, replacing Basil Rajapaksa.27 Mar 2024 · Ada Derana · Namal replaces Basil as SLPP's national organiser
• Namal Rajapaksa / Candidate in / Presidential election, 21 September 2024
  • AP: he ran for president in the September 2024 election, presenting himself as an agent of change.13 Sep 2024 · Associated Press · Sri Lankans' fury forced the powerful Rajapaksa clan out. Now its heir is running for president
• Namal Rajapaksa / Indicted, then acquitted in / Gowers Corporate Services money laundering case
  • Indicted in the Colombo High Court with fellow directors over Rs. 30 million at Gowers Corporate Services in 2013 and 2014.8 Jun 2017 · Daily FT · Namal indicted in money laundering case
  • The High Court acquitted all accused without calling defence evidence; the judge found the evidence “unsubstantial and untrue”.2 Nov 2023 · Ada Derana · Namal acquitted in Gowers Corp money laundering case
• Namal Rajapaksa / Indicted in / Krrish deal caseAllegation
  • The Attorney General filed indictments in the Colombo High Court charging criminal misappropriation of Rs. 70 million received from an Indian real estate company for rugby development. He had earlier been arrested and released on bail.28 Jan 2025 · Ada Derana · Namal Rajapaksa indicted over 'Krrish' deal
  • The case, brought under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, was fixed for a pre-trial conference on 18 December.26 Sep 2025 · Newswire · New order on Namal's Krrish case
  • On 7 July 2026 the Colombo High Court fixed 16 November for the hearing and ordered summonses for two Indian witnesses.7 Jul 2026 · Newswire · Namal Rajapaksa’s Krrish case hearing fixed for November 16
• Criminal Investigation Department / Summoned for questioning, February 2026 / Namal RajapaksaAllegation
  • Summoned for an inquiry into alleged associations with a detained member of an organised criminal group; he sought a one-week extension. The report mentions no charge.3 Feb 2026 · News 1st · Namal and Shiranthi Rajapaksa Summoned to CID and FCID Over Financial Irregularities and Criminal Links
• Criminal Investigation Department / Opened law exam inquiry into, February 2025 / Namal RajapaksaAllegation
  • The CID began an inquiry after a civic group complained that he obtained his law qualification unlawfully with help from two attorneys. The report carries no response from him and mentions no charge.14 Feb 2025 · Ada Derana · CID launches probe into law exam 'cheating' allegations against Namal
• Namal Rajapaksa / Minister in government of, from August 2020 / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • Named in the government line-up unveiled after the swearing-in at Kandy in August 2020, under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, as Minister of Youth and Sports Affairs.13 Aug 2020 · Daily FT · GR-MR pick A and B teams to deliver prosperity
• Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption / Arrested, September 2026; granted bail in the Krrish case on 3 November 2026 / Namal RajapaksaAllegation
  • Taken into custody on 4 September 2026 after several hours of questioning at the commission, where he had been summoned over the 2013 purchase of Airbus aircraft for SriLankan Airlines. The article describes an alleged USD 2 million bribe linked to that purchase and reports no response from him.4 Sep 2026 · Ada Derana · MP Namal Rajapaksa arrested by Bribery Commission
  • On 18 September 2026 the Colombo Chief Magistrate further remanded him until 29 September, when a ruling on bail was due. The allegation is reported as acceptance of a Rs. 100 million bribe.18 Sep 2026 · Ada Derana · MP Namal Rajapaksa further remanded
  • On 29 September 2026 he was further remanded until 13 October in the Airbus matter. A Deputy Solicitor General told the court that the bribery and money laundering investigations had concluded and that a combined indictment would be filed.29 Sep 2026 · Newswire · No bail : Namal Rajapaksa further remanded
  • The same day the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court refused bail in the Krrish deal case filed by the commission and remanded him until 6 October.29 Sep 2026 · Newswire · No bail for Namal in Krrish case either; further remanded until October 6
  • On 30 September 2026 the Fort Magistrate granted him bail in the money laundering investigation linked to the Airbus deal, on cash bail of Rs. 500,000 with sureties, a travel ban and a warning that bail would be cancelled if he tried to influence witnesses.30 Sep 2026 · Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) · Namal Rajapaksa granted bail
  • He stayed in remand custody despite that order, because he had not been granted bail in separate proceedings.30 Sep 2026 · Newswire · Namal granted bail in Airbus money laundering case, remains in custody
  • On 6 October 2026 the Colombo Chief Magistrate further remanded him and former Krrish director Janaki Siriwardena until 16 October. The article describes both as arrested by the commission over an alleged Rs. 70 million bribe.6 Oct 2026 · Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) · Namal Rajapaksa and ex-Krrish director Janaki Siriwardena further remanded
  • The Colombo Magistrate’s Court extended his remand until 27 October in connection with allegations that he accepted a bribe linked to the Airbus case.13 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · MP Namal Rajapaksa further remanded
  • On 14 October 2026 he was brought before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court in connection with a money laundering case over alleged irregularities in the 2013 procurement of Airbus aircraft for SriLankan Airlines.14 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · MP Namal Rajapaksa brought before court
  • On 16 October 2026 the Colombo Chief Magistrate further remanded him and Janaki Siriwardena until 23 October in the Krrish bribery case. The Magistrate rejected her bail application and said the order on his bail application was not ready and would be announced on the next court date. The article describes the allegation as soliciting and accepting a Rs. 70 million bribe in connection with the company’s affairs, and carries no response from him.16 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Namal Rajapaksa and Janaki Siriwardena further remanded
  • On 23 October 2026 the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court further remanded him and former Krrish Group executive director Janaki Siriwardena until 6 November in the Krrish bribery case. The article describes the allegation as soliciting and accepting a Rs. 70 million bribe, and does not mention the bail order that had been due on this date or any response from him.23 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Namal Rajapaksa and Janaki Siriwardena further remanded
  • On 27 October 2026 his counsel, President’s Counsel Ali Sabry, asked the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court for bail on compassionate grounds in the Krrish transaction case and argued the presumption of innocence. The Bribery Commission said it had not received the documents and asked for time, and rejected claims of unequal treatment, saying it applied the law equally to everyone. The article gives the alleged bribe as Rs. 100 million in connection with the Transworks Square land.27 Oct 2026 · Newswire · Namal’s lawyer seeks bail citing parents’ serious health conditions
  • Confirms that the Chief Magistrate fixed 3 November for the decision on the bail application after hearing the Bribery Commission and his lawyers, and gives the allegation as accepting a Rs. 100 million bribe over the transfer of land at Transworks Square to the Krrish company. The article carries no response from him.28 Oct 2026 · Newswire · Krish case: Court decision on Namal’s bail application on November 3
  • On 28 October 2026 Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama, after hearing the Bribery Commission and his counsel, fixed 3 November to deliver the order on the bail application. The article describes the allegation as accepting a Rs. 100 million bribe, while earlier Ada Derana reports gave Rs. 70 million; the article carries no response from him.28 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Court to deliver ruling on Namal Rajapaksa’s bail application on Nov. 3
  • On 3 November 2026 Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered his release on cash bail of Rs. 100,000 and three personal sureties of Rs. 5 million each in the Krrish bribery case, imposed an overseas travel ban, warned him against influencing witnesses and fixed 6 November for the next date. The article quotes the Magistrate as saying the grounds, which counsel had said were his parents’ health, were accepted as exceptional circumstances. The Bribery Commission had objected. He was taken back to prison because a Trial-at-Bar bench had ordered him produced on 19 November, and the article says he remains in remand in the separate Airbus case.3 Nov 2026 · Ada Derana · Namal Rajapaksa granted bail in ‘Krrish’ deal case
  • In a statement issued ahead of the 50th day of his imprisonment, he said he was willing to stay in prison for 500 days if it brought economic relief to the public, and that he believed the courts would one day find him not guilty and acquit him. The statement does not address the specific bribery allegations.24 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Willing to remain imprisoned even 500 days if country can benefit – Namal
  • The CID told the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court that its investigation in the money laundering case against him and two other suspects was completed and that indictments would be filed in a higher court. The case falls under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. He was produced by prison authorities because he remains in remand custody in a separate case under the Bribery Act. The court ordered the case to be called again on 18 November. The article carries no response from him.14 Oct 2026 · News 1st · CID Completes Probe in Namal’s Money Laundering Case
• Namal Rajapaksa / Named in / List of 50 cases tabled in Parliament, 8 October 2026Allegation
  • The list tabled in Parliament describes his case as alleged laundering of Rs. 70 million reported to have come from India’s Krrish Group.8 Oct 2026 · Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) · ‘Not political revenge’: Bimal tables 50 corruption, fraud and criminal cases in Parliament
• Namal Rajapaksa / Arrested in / SriLankan Airlines Airbus purchase inquiryAllegation
  • Summoned to give a statement about the Airbus transaction and taken into custody on 4 September 2026. The article names Chandrasena and his wife in the same allegations.4 Sep 2026 · Ada Derana · MP Namal Rajapaksa arrested by Bribery Commission
  • On 27 October 2026 Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara told Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama that indictments had been filed against him and three others before the Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar, with the approval of the Chief Justice, over allegations of money laundering and accepting a Rs. 100 million bribe in connection with the Airbus transaction. The indictment has 24 charges and 59 witnesses. The article carries no response from him.27 Oct 2026 · Newswire · Airbus deal: Indictments filed against Namal Rajapaksa and three others
  • Says the Attorney General filed the 24-charge indictment over alleged bribery in the Airbus transaction. The Chief Magistrate ordered him kept in custody until he was produced before the Trial-at-Bar, saying the Magistrate’s Court could no longer make any order about the suspect, including on bail or remand, and that no exceptional circumstances had been presented to justify bail.28 Oct 2026 · Daily FT · AG indicts Namal Rajapaksa on 24 charges over Airbus deal
  • On 28 October 2026 he was produced before the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar, and the Chief Magistrate had directed that a report on the matter be submitted to the Magistrate’s Court on 30 October.28 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Namal Rajapaksa produced before Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar
  • The three-judge Trial-at-Bar bench headed by Judge Priyantha Liyanage ordered prison authorities to produce him on 19 November. Bribery Commission lawyers were absent because they had not been notified of the hearing. His counsel, led by President’s Counsel Nalin Ladduwhetty, said the defence intended to file a bail application once the commission’s officers appeared.28 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Airbus Case: Namal Rajapaksa ordered to appear before court on Nov. 19
• Sanjaya Samarasinghe / Described as private secretary to / Namal Rajapaksa
  • Describes him as the private secretary to Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna MP Namal Rajapaksa. The article does not say Namal Rajapaksa is a suspect in the matter.19 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Namal Rajapaksa’s private secretary arrested by Bribery Commission
• Namal Rajapaksa / Named as a suspect in, reported 29 October 2026 / N.R. Consultancy money laundering caseAllegation
  • The CID told the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court that it had not yet received the Attorney General’s instructions in the case against him and others over an alleged Rs. 15 million money laundering offence involving a company named N.R. Consultancy. The article says the investigation concluded in 2016 and the files were sent to the Attorney General, and that he, reportedly in remand custody, was not produced. The article carries no response from him.29 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Court to take up Namal Rajapaksa’s money laundering case in Feb. 2027
  • Says the case was ordered to be recalled on 11 February 2027 and names the suspects as him, Nithya Senani Samaranayake, Sujani Bogollagama and Sudarshana Bandara Ganegoda. It says the investigation began after a complaint on 28 July 2015 by Anti-Corruption Voice convener Wasantha Samarasinghe. The article carries no response from him.29 Oct 2026 · Newswire · Namal Rajapaksa’s Rs. 15 Mn money laundering case postponed to February