Thursday Jan 30, 2025
Thursday Jan 30, 2025
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SLPP Member of Parliament
Namal Rajapaksa
The Attorney General has filed indictments against Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa, accusing him of criminal misappropriation of Rs. 70 million in connection with the controversial Krrish project.
The indictments, presented to the Colombo High Court, allege that Rajapaksa received Rs. 70 million from the Indian real estate company Krrish Group, purportedly for the development of rugby in Sri Lanka.
In response, Rajapaksa took to X (formerly Twitter), claiming the charges were politically motivated. “I have read in the media that the Hon. Attorney General has filed an indictment against me in connection with the Krrish Company case. During the Yahapalanaya government, this matter was referred to the Hon. Attorney General eight years ago. Now, under the present government, an indictment is filed,” he stated.
Rajapaksa further alleged that the National People’s Power (NPP) Government is using these accusations to distract from its governance failures. “They seem to believe that fabricating charges against us can divert attention from the hardships faced by the people. Their shortcomings will soon be exposed,” he added. Despite his criticism, he expressed confidence in the judiciary, asserting his belief that justice would ultimately prevail.
The indictment comes as Rajapaksa faces increasing scrutiny regarding his involvement in the Krrish project. In January, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) launched a separate inquiry into financial irregularities of Rs. 70 million during the lease of 4.3 acres of land for the Krrish Transworks Square project in Colombo Fort.
Krrish Case:...
The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) had initially presented details of the case to the Fort Magistrate’s Court in 2016. At the time, Rajapaksa was arrested as a suspect, produced in court, and later released on bail.
Adding to the controversy, a complaint was filed in December against retired Senior DIG Ravi Waidyalankara, former head of the FCID, by Ritz Clothing Chairperson Chandrasena Kodikara. Kodikara alleged that Waidyalankara, who had investigated the Krrish project during his tenure, later joined the project as a paid director and defrauded him of over Rs. 560 million. The CID has yet to provide a comprehensive update on this complaint. Meanwhile, Indian authorities have also linked the Krrish project to a money laundering scheme. India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating Krrish Realtech Ltd. and its promoter, Amit Katyal, for allegedly siphoning funds from investors in Gurgaon, India.
According to Indian media reports, Katyal diverted proceeds of crime worth Indian Rs. 2.05 billion (approximately Sri Lankan Rs. 7.89 billion) to Sri Lanka. These funds were used to acquire land and assets under One Transworks Square Ltd., formerly known as Krrish Transworks Colombo Ltd. The ED has since attached these assets as part of its investigation.
Once envisioned as a luxury real estate development in Colombo, the Krrish project has been plagued by allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement. With ongoing investigations in Sri Lanka and India, Rajapaksa and other key figures face mounting legal and political pressure.
The Attorney General has filed indictments against Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa, accusing him of criminal misappropriation of Rs. 70 million in connection with the controversial Krrish project.
The indictments, presented to the Colombo High Court, allege that Rajapaksa received Rs. 70 million from the Indian real estate company Krrish Group, purportedly for the development of rugby in Sri Lanka.
In response, Rajapaksa took to X (formerly Twitter), claiming the charges were politically motivated. “I have read in the media that the Hon. Attorney General has filed an indictment against me in connection with the Krrish Company case. During the Yahapalanaya government, this matter was referred to the Hon. Attorney General eight years ago. Now, under the present government, an indictment is filed,” he stated.
Rajapaksa further alleged that the National People’s Power (NPP) Government is using these accusations to distract from its governance failures. “They seem to believe that fabricating charges against us can divert attention from the hardships faced by the people. Their shortcomings will soon be exposed,” he added. Despite his criticism, he expressed confidence in the judiciary, asserting his belief that justice would ultimately prevail.
The indictment comes as Rajapaksa faces increasing scrutiny regarding his involvement in the Krrish project. In January, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) launched a separate inquiry into financial irregularities of Rs. 70 million during the lease of 4.3 acres of land for the Krrish Transworks Square project in Colombo Fort.
The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) had initially presented details of the case to the Fort Magistrate’s Court in 2016. At the time, Rajapaksa was arrested as a suspect, produced in court, and later released on bail.
Adding to the controversy, a complaint was filed in December against retired Senior DIG Ravi Waidyalankara, former head of the FCID, by Ritz Clothing Chairperson Chandrasena Kodikara. Kodikara alleged that Waidyalankara, who had investigated the Krrish project during his tenure, later joined the project as a paid director and defrauded him of over Rs. 560 million. The CID has yet to provide a comprehensive update on this complaint. Meanwhile, Indian authorities have also linked the Krrish project to a money laundering scheme. India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating Krrish Realtech Ltd. and its promoter, Amit Katyal, for allegedly siphoning funds from investors in Gurgaon, India.
According to Indian media reports, Katyal diverted proceeds of crime worth Indian Rs. 2.05 billion (approximately Sri Lankan Rs. 7.89 billion) to Sri Lanka. These funds were used to acquire land and assets under One Transworks Square Ltd., formerly known as Krrish Transworks Colombo Ltd. The ED has since attached these assets as part of its investigation.
Once envisioned as a luxury real estate development in Colombo, the Krrish project has been plagued by allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement. With ongoing investigations in Sri Lanka and India, Rajapaksa and other key figures face mounting legal and political pressure.
