Namal Rajapaksa arrested in bribery probe

Namal Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organizer and son of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa was arrested on Friday by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption in connection with an investigation into an alleged bribery incident involving the purchase of wide-body aircraft for SriLankan Airlines.

Rajapaksa appeared before the commission to provide a statement after being summoned for questioning.

The commission had instructed him to appear on Sept. 4. Rajapaksa had reportedly requested permission to appear a day earlier, but the commission rejected the request and asked him to attend on the original date.

The commission had also warned that legal action could be taken if he failed to appear as required.

Investigations into the alleged aircraft transaction are continuing.  

Several members of the Rajapaksa family are facing corruption probes.