COLOMBO, June 26 -- Rakitha Rajapakshe, the son of former justice minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, arrested on Thursday (25) over allegations of accepting Rs 120 million as an advance from a Rs 500 million bribe sought to secure the release of suspected drug kingpin Nadun Chinthaka Wickremeratne, alias 'Harakatta', was ordered remanded until July 3 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.

'Harakatta' was extradited from Madagascar in 2023 with Interpol assistance. Officials said Rajapakshe was taken into custody by the CIABOC on Thursday over allegations that he negotiated a Rs 500 million (US$1.5 million) payment to free Harakatta. The alleged transaction had taken place while his father was serving as justice and prison reforms...