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Shashindra faces 35 breathing interruptions per hour, counsel tells court
By Bhagya Silva
Colombo, Sept. 12 (Daily Mirror) - Former State Minister Shashindra Rajapaksa suffers from severe sleep apnea, experiencing up to 35 breathing interruptions per hour during sleep, which can only be managed with a special device, his counsel informed court today.
When the case was taken up, officials of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) told court that a building illegally constructed on Mahaweli Authority land at Sewanagala—later destroyed during the recent protests—had been valued by the Government Valuation Department. It was alleged that Rajapaksa had exerted undue pressure on officials to alter the official valuation.
“Your Honour, following the destruction of the property, the Government Valuation Department issued an official estimate of the damage. The suspect rejected this valuation and continuously pressured valuation officers to approve compensation of Rs. 8.8 million for the said property. Despite repeated attempts, the officers refused to comply. Subsequently, the suspect summoned them to a special meeting in Parliament and instructed them to amend their report. Even then, the officers rejected his request. His conduct amounts to an offence punishable under Section 8(1) of the State Property Act. Investigations are still ongoing,” CIABOC officials submitted.
Appearing on behalf of the suspect, President’s Counsel Anuja Premarathna moved for bail, citing his client’s ill health.
“Your Honour, my client has not sought compensation for Mahaweli land. He only sought compensation for his house, which was destroyed. The individuals who set fire to the house have already been charged before the Embilipitiya Magistrate’s Court under the Penal Code. It was they who damaged public property. My client merely sought compensation for his house,” counsel argued.
“His health condition is critical. He suffers from severe sleep apnea. According to medical reports, he experiences up to 35 breathing interruptions per hour, which can only be controlled by a sleep apnea machine. He has been deprived of this device for about a month in remand custody, leading to dangerously high blood pressure and repeated hospital admissions. This poses a serious risk to his life. Considering these circumstances, I respectfully request that my client be released on suitable bail,” Premarathna further submitted.
Appearing for CIABOC, Assistant Director General Counsel Sulochana Hettiarachchi objected to the bail application.
“Your Honour, if the suspect’s illness was as serious as claimed, he should already be dead. He has been in custody for a month without this machine. This is not a sufficient ground for bail,” she argued.
After considering submissions, the Chief Magistrate ruled that bail would not be granted at this stage, while noting that the arguments presented would be recorded for due consideration.
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