by Our Correspondent in Colombo
Sri Lankan authorities have carried out a series of arrests of prominent politicians over various charges, signaling a crackdown on alleged misconduct spanning decades.
Former Member of Parliament and State Minister Nimal Lanza surrendered to the Kochchikade police today and was subsequently arrested in connection with an investigation into an assault that occurred during a protest in 2006. Lanza was produced in court and remanded until September 12, when he will be brought before the court again.
Meanwhile, former Minister Rajitha Senaratne was remanded by the Colombo High Court today. High Court Judge Lanka Jayaratne ordered that Senaratne remain in custody until he is produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court in a separate case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. His remand will continue until September 9.
In another high-profile case, former Member of Parliament Venerable Athuruge Rathana Thero was remanded today until September 12 by the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court. The Criminal Investigation Department had previously attempted to question Thero multiple times regarding a crisis related to the National List MP position of the Ape Jana Bala Party, but he had been evading authorities with his mobile phone switched off.
Last week, former President and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was arrested as part of a separate investigation into alleged corruption during his tenure. He has since been granted bail, with his next hearing scheduled for October.
Meanwhile, as reported by the Sri Lanka Guardian last week, Wickremesinghe is seeking to rejoin Parliament in order to strengthen the opposition. He is currently receiving treatment in a hospital and remains under medical supervision, with authorities monitoring his health while legal proceedings continue.
