This political column continues the island’s long tradition of insider political journalism, from the 19th century Ceylon Examiner to today’s Sunday Times Political Column, and, of course, the inimitable Suranimala. We’re still crafting the genre’s 21st century incarnation, so please send us feedback on what works, and what doesn’t.
El Niño has arrived early for politicos — the political temperature is rising. Namal Rajapaksa’s fourth arrest this decade opens a fresh front in the battle between the government and an opposition struggling to gain its footing. Arrest-by-arrest the government is increasing the pressure on their Rajapaksa arch-rivals. Some describe it as a strategy of “boiling frogs slowly”.
As the Rajapaksas rally around their dynasty’s embattled heir, Mahinda Rajapaksa prepares to re-enter the political ring, while the UNP’s Ranil Wickremesinghe openly makes alliance with the SLPP to turn Namal’s arrest into a weapon against the JVP-led government. As the opposition tries to get its act together old political alliances and rivalries are being redrawn.
The government isn’t just sitting idly by. They’re taking the battle to the streets with a slew of rallies. Allegations of corruption against government MPs and the continuing controversy over the proposed 22nd amendment are also adding further fuel to a political landscape that is post-new office honeymoon, but not yet politically charged. What is unfolding is no longer just about one arrest — it's becoming a wider test of accountability, political survival, and who gets to define Sri Lanka’s next political chapter.
A decade of Namal tackles
Namal has now been arrested four times since 2016. He returns to custody nearly nine years after last spending a night in a cell. He was taken in after more than five hours of questioning over an alleged $800,000 bribe paid to induce SriLankan Airlines to buy Airbus aircraft. Nimal Perera, a businessman and key suspect, who has been cooperating with investigators, is likely to be used as a state witness.
His previous three arrests were also all linked to allegations of corruption. In July 2016, the Financial Crimes Investigation Division arrested him over 70 million rupees allegedly misappropriated from Krrish Group rugby-sponsorship money. That case remains before the courts with Namal on bail. The trial is fixed for 16th November.
In August 2016, the division arrested him again on suspicion of money laundering over 125 million rupees via HelloCorp. He was acquitted in November 2023.
In October 2017, the Hambantota police arrested him, along with other politicians, over a protest against the Hambantota port and Mattala airport plans. That case is ongoing.
The outcomes of past arrests differ: one resulted in acquittal, two continue, and the latest is still under investigation. Politically, this fourth one matters the most. Unlike previous times, Namal is no longer second-in-line to inheriting Mahinda Rajapaksa’s mantle. After Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s downfall during the economic crisis he is now heir-apparent and is positioning himself as the younger, fresher face of the Rajapaksa dynasty.
Food from home
Namal, who is held at the Colombo Remand Prison at Welikada, has been eating vegetarian meals from home. His family requested permission to deliver the meals, they were especially concerned as he’s a strict vegetarian who doesn’t even eat dry fish. Most of the meals sent to him are prepared by his mother Shiranthi.
Security was also stepped up at his cell, which he shares with a few cell mates. The Prisons Department isn’t sharing details, other than saying there’s a “special security arrangement around his ward”. He’s allowed up to three visitors each day. Mahinda visited him on two consecutive days, while Shiranthi has also been sighted. The rest of the visitors are senior SLPPers and MPs from other opposition parties.
MPs in jail have the right to attend Parliament. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the usually busy and roving Namal spent the full day in Parliament during this week’s session. Most of his time was spent talking with opposition MPs and planning the SLPP’s rally scheduled for the coming Saturday. He also addressed Parliament on Tuesday, accusing the government of misleading the public and failing to deliver on its election promises. He called on it to prioritise reducing the cost-of-living and providing relief to people facing continued economic pressure.
MR back on stage?
With Namal behind bars, SLPP sources say Mahinda will attend the SLPP’s rally at Anuradhapura Municipal Council grounds tomorrow, which also happens to be Namal’s wedding anniversary and his eldest son’s birthday. But he hasn’t made a final decision on whether he will address supporters from the stage.
The party tried to book the larger Salgado and Harischandra grounds, but they didn’t succeed. Calling a press conference, the SLPP initially claimed that the NPP, which controls the Anuradhpura Municipal Council, intervened to prevent the council from permitting the rally at the larger grounds. The council, however, said that both grounds were already booked when the SLPP tried to book them, and offered them a smaller municipal ground instead.