The CID yesterday informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court that investigations into the money laundering case filed against MP Namal Rajapaksa, and two others, had been completed, with steps to be taken to file indictments before a higher court.

The case was taken up before Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena, where investigating officers said the investigation had concluded and arrangements were being made to institute formal charges before the appropriate court.

The case has been filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act over alleged financial irregularities linked to the procurement of Airbus aircraft by SriLankan Airlines.

The CID also informed the court that INTERPOL Red Notices had been obtained in respect of the second suspect, Priyanka Niyomali, and the third suspect, Shamindra Rajapaksa, and that efforts to secure their arrest were continuing through international law enforcement channels.

Namal Rajapaksa, a suspect in the case, was recently granted bail in connection with the money laundering allegations.

However, he was produced before court by prison authorities on Wednesday as he remains in remand custody in connection with a separate case filed under the Bribery Act.

Following the proceedings, the Magistrate ordered that the case be called again on November 18.

The Department of Prisons yesterday denied allegations by former Minister Udaya Gammanpila that Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera had been forced to wear a prison uniform at Welikada Prison.

Gammanpila, speaking at a press conference in Colombo on October 12, alleged that the monk had been compelled to wear prison attire despite objections from both the monk and prison officers.

Responding to media queries, Prisons Commissioner and Media Spokesperson Senaka Pallethenna said the Department had received no complaints regarding the alleged incident and was unaware of any such occurrence.

“There is no possibility of such a thing happening, as we follow prison regulations,” he said, reiterating that the Department operated in accordance with established rules and procedures.

Commenting on the committee appointed to review regulations governing the attire of imprisoned religious leaders, Pallethenna said Prisons Commissioner Gajanayake had been appointed as a member.

He expressed confidence that the committee would submit its report, including recommendations on the matter, either this week or next week.

The Department of Prisons would take action based on the committee’s recommendations, Pallethenna said, adding that existing procedures could not be changed arbitrarily, as prison authorities were bound by the applicable laws and regulations.

The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has set aside the death sentence imposed on Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Arun Hemachandra announced in a Facebook post yesterday (14).

Hemachandra described the ruling as a major relief for Sivarasa and his family, attributing the outcome to sustained diplomatic and legal efforts by the Government of Sri Lanka.

The Saudi Supreme Court delivered its decision on October 13, 2026, overturning the earlier judgment that had sentenced the Sri Lankan national to death, the Deputy Minister said.

He expressed appreciation to the Government of Saudi Arabia for its cooperation throughout the process and acknowledged the contributions of Sri Lanka’s diplomatic mission and the legal teams involved in the case.

Hemachandra also thanked Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chairman and members of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, and the Sri Lankan and Saudi legal teams for their dedication in pursuing the matter.

Recently, a Sri Lankan delegation of legal experts travelled to Saudi Arabia to pursue efforts to secure the commutation of the death sentence imposed on Sivarasa.

The delegation comprised MP and President’s Counsel Mohamed Faiszer Musthapha; Justice M.T. Mohamed Laffar, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Jeddah; Additional Solicitor General Hafeez Azard Navavi, PC, of the Department of the Attorney General; President’s Counsel K.A. Upul Indika Kumarapperuma; Attorney-at-Law Farisz Fazal Abdul Hafeel Mohomed; and Mohamed Riyasdeen Silmy, Coordinating Secretary to MP Musthapha.

The ruling marks a significant development in the case, following the diplomatic engagement and legal representations made on behalf of the Sri Lankan national.