COLOMBO, Sept. 23 -- The Fort Magistrate's Court on Wednesday (23) rejected a bail application filed by lawmaker Namal Rajapaksa, elder son of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is being held over an alleged bribery payment linked to the purchase of Airbus aircraft for SriLankan Airlines.

Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena ordered Rajapaksa, scion of the once-powerful Rajapaksa family the National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) to remain in remand custody until September 30.

Rajapaksa was arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act over allegations that a USD 200,000 (approximately Rs100 million) bribe was received in connection with the purchase of 10 Airbus aircraft by SriLankan Airlines.

When the cas...