(UPDATED) – Three opposition politicians were remanded today while the remand period of another was extended over separate cases taken up.

Former Minister Rajitha Senaratne, was remanded until  September 09 while  former State Minister Nimal Lanza and former MP Ven Athureliya Rathana thera were remanded until September 12. Former State Minister Sashindra Rajapaksa who was already in remand custody was further remanded until September 12.

Former Minister Rajitha Senaratne, who was produced before the  Colombo Magistrate’s Court over charges filed by the Bribery Commission  and was  remanded until September 09.

Dr Senaratne was initially remanded by  Colombo High Court Judge Lanka Jayaratne, until he was produced in the Magistrate courts later in the day.

He was wanted by the Colombo Magistrate courts on charges filed by the Bribery Commission over allegations of causing losses to the state by awarding a contract to a Korean company.

Later in the day former State Minister  Lanza who surrendered to the  Kochchikade Police over a 19 year old complaint was arrested and produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court  where he was remanded.

He faces charges of  assault and trespassing to the property of a rival politician during a local election period.

In a separate case former Member of Parliament Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thero surrendered to the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court after a warrant was issued on him last week. He was later remanded.

He has been charged over an alleged abduction and detention of the General Secretary of the ‘Ape Jana Bala’ party, Venerable Wedinigama Wimalatissa Thero, inorder to obtain the  national list seat in the 2020 general election.

Former State Minister Sashindra Rajapaksa has been remanded over allegations of  falsely claiming for compensation for a house damaged during the 2022 anti –government riots.