An Interpol notice for Basil Rajapaksa, a new arrest, and a fresh contempt probe led another eventful week.
Between 14 and 20 September 2026, Nadu recorded seven developments across six politicians - Sri Lankan authorities activating the Interpol process for Basil Rajapaksa, a new arrest and remand for a senior SLPP figure, a further remand for Namal Rajapaksa in the separate Airbus money-laundering case, and a fresh contempt investigation opened during one of his hearings. Here is what mattered, and what's on the court calendar next.
Sri Lankan authorities activated the Interpol process concerning Basil Rajapaksa, who is overseas and subject to outstanding arrest warrants in the Brown's Hill property case and the tourism T-shirt spending case. Reporting conflicts on whether a Blue Notice has already been issued or only requested.
Read full updateCIABOC arrested Renuka Perera, former Chairperson of the National Transport Commission and a senior SLPP figure, over allegations concerning the issuance of 56 Southern Expressway passenger-service permits. The Colombo Magistrate's Court remanded him until 29 September 2026.
The Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court produced Namal Rajapaksa as the fourth suspect in the CID's money-laundering investigation into the 2013 SriLankan Airlines Airbus procurement and ordered him remanded until 23 September 2026, when a bail ruling is also due. This is separate from his existing CIABOC bribery case over the same transaction.
During a hearing in Namal Rajapaksa's CIABOC bribery case, the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court ordered the Inspector General of Police to investigate whether remarks Wimal Weerawansa made at a 12 September SLPP rally in Anuradhapura, commenting on the court's earlier remand order against Rajapaksa, amount to contempt of court.
A three-judge Court of Appeal bench was appointed to hear the contempt-of-court referral against Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila, Dilith Jayaweera and three others, arising from a July 2026 satyagraha protest. Jayaweera's own writ petition challenging the referral is listed for support on 18 September 2026.
Johnston Fernando appeared before the Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court in a previously untracked case concerning the alleged illegal possession of a luxury vehicle, reportedly under the Motor Traffic Act. He remains on bail; the matter was fixed for 28 October 2026.
The IGP has reportedly directed the Terrorism Investigation Division to investigate a complaint alleging that remarks made by Jaffna District MP Ramanathan Archchuna at an SLPP rally in Anuradhapura promoted or supported the proscribed LTTE. This is a complaint and investigation only - no arrest, charge, or finding of wrongdoing has been reported.
Interpol process activated for Basil Rajapaksa amid two outstanding arrest warrants · 19 September 2026
Namal Rajapaksa remanded until 23 September as fourth suspect in Airbus money-laundering probe · 16 September 2026
A preview of confirmed upcoming appearances - not every hearing on the calendar, just the ones most relevant to this week’s developments.
one week, curated, not exhaustive
