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Navy stands by frigate bidding

The Royal Thai Navy has come under public scrutiny after only one company, South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean, was deemed qualified to take on the 17-billion-baht frigate procurement.

The development has sparked widespread criticism and prompted the Royal Thai Navy top brass to defend the transparency of the project on Friday.

Navy commander Adm Pairote Fuangchan held a press conference with project officials to explain the selection process after public criticism that only one bidder was left.

The project covers one high-performance frigate with onboard systems and equipment, spare parts, support, testing, training, acceptance, warranties and related costs, under a 17-billion-baht ceiling.

It forms part of the navy’s long-term force development plan to replace ageing vessels and to protect sovereignty, maritime routes, economic areas, energy resources and key infrastructure.

The navy said the new frigate would fight across three dimensions — surface combat, anti-submarine warfare and air defence — and could strike land targets, counter unmanned aircraft and conduct command, control, datalink and joint operations.

Rear Adm Parat Rattanachaiphan, a navy spokesman, said operational requirements had been set by the vessel’s missions, areas of operation and potential threats, rather than by any company, country, brand or design.

The navy invited 11 shipyards from several countries to obtain the tender documents, with six eventually submitting bids. It said the terms of reference had undergone consultation and review, with no complaints from bidders during their preparation.

Criteria announced in advance distinguished mandatory minimum requirements from scored items covering capability, readiness, survivability, logistics and technical support, bidder reliability, technology transfer and defence-industry development, Rear Adm Parat said.

“Four bidders subsequently failed to meet substantive technical requirements. The reasons included failure to submit documents needed to demonstrate performance and capability, proposals outside the scope of work, and conditional offers that could hinder assessment or potentially disadvantage the state.

“One other bidder failed the qualification stage because of missing or materially incorrect documentation and a failure to meet specified requirements,” Rear Adm Parat said.

The procurement committee unanimously applied an evidence-based evaluation using the same standards for all bidders and considered only documents submitted on time.

The navy said that one firm left in the race did not make awarding the contract automatic, as the committee still had to assess technical aspects, price, delivery terms, warranties, lifetime support, technology transfer and value for money.

Hanwha Ocean Co Ltd of South Korea was selected after evaluation and negotiations at a final price of 16.73 billion baht, 270 million baht below the ceiling, or about 1.6%. The figure includes VAT, taxes and duties, transport, insurance and related costs.

Under the final offer, Hanwha will provide an offshore patrol vessel (OPV) design, an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) design, and rights to access and further develop knowledge relating to the Tactical Data Link and Combat Management System (CMS). The navy said that would reduce dependence on foreign technology and help Thailand modify, integrate and develop systems while strengthening its defence industry and personnel.

The offset package includes investment, research and development, technology transfer, personnel development, joint production and the use of Thai labour, materials, goods and services. Hanwha’s proposal has an actual value of 7.254 billion baht, equivalent to 43.36% of the project value, and an Offset Credit Value of more than 53.65 billion baht.

The navy said the credit is a calculated figure based on set criteria and multipliers, not money paid to the government. Offset commitments would be written into the contract with plans, deadlines, indicators and verification.

Contract negotiations, drafting and signing come next, followed by design, construction, system installation, testing, training, acceptance and delivery. The navy said it would monitor performance, the delivery schedule, technology transfer, domestic activities and offset commitments.

The EU and the Philippines: Turning solidarity into action

By this time of year, many of us in the Philippines are accustomed to seeing alerts on our phones warning of heavy rains and the risks of flooding and landslides. Such warnings have become part of life during the typhoon season. But however familiar they may be, the risks they signal remain very real.

In response to severe flooding across Luzon, the EU is providing 150,000 euros (approximately P10.87 million) to help more than 32,000 people in the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon and Metro Manila. Through the Philippine Red Cross, this funding will provide essential household items, meals, safe drinking water and health services, including mental health support and disease prevention. It forms part of the EU’s contribution to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Disaster Response Emergency Fund.

These floods are a reminder of the recurring risks facing the Philippines, from tropical cyclones and landslides to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Responding to immediate needs and preparing for future emergencies are both essential to protecting lives and livelihoods.

For three decades, the European Union has stood with vulnerable communities in the Philippines through humanitarian assistance and disaster preparedness. Since 1996, EU humanitarian assistance to the country has amounted to around 176 million euros (approximately P12.8 billion at today’s exchange rate), providing food, water and sanitation, health care and other essential support to people affected by disasters and conflict. The new flood response funding comes on top of 2.097 million euros, or approximately P152 million, allocated at the start of this year. Delivered through humanitarian partners, this assistance prioritizes the most vulnerable, including communities affected by conflict in Mindanao with limited access to assistance. This support reflects the EU’s broader approach of combining life-saving humanitarian assistance with efforts that help communities become more resilient to future shocks.

On June 8, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Sarangani, affecting communities across parts of Mindanao. EU humanitarian partners provided shelter, food and cash assistance, alongside water, sanitation and hygiene services. The response also included protection and psychosocial support. Through the ACCESS consortium, 4,804 households, or more than 22,700 people, were reached across seven municipalities in Sarangani, Davao Occidental, South Cotabato and Agusan del Sur. I have personally witnessed the positive, even though necessarily partial, effects of this type of assistance and cooperation for Filipino families and people affected by natural disasters during my visits to several affected areas in the Philippines.

The Philippines has well-developed crisis management capacities, but repeated disasters can strain local resources. Alongside emergency assistance, the EU supports efforts to help authorities and communities prepare. In parts of Mindanao, this includes helping communities reduce risks and act on early warnings, as well as supporting a swift response when disasters strike or people are forced to leave their homes. In this way, EU support links immediate emergency response with longer-term work to reduce vulnerability, strengthen local capacities and support recovery over time.

Building resilience also means addressing underlying environmental and structural factors that can increase the impact of disasters on communities. During the rainy season, waste blocking drains and waterways can worsen flooding. Our broader cooperation with the Philippines can support efforts to address these concerns.

Through the Green Economy Partnership between the EU and the Philippines, we are working with communities, 60 local governments and businesses to turn environmental challenges into opportunities.

In Bacolod, the Circular Biohubs Project is exploring ways to process organic waste locally, using black soldier fly larvae to turn food scraps into biomass that could be used in animal feed and earthworms to produce soil enhancers. The project draws on the practical knowledge of waste collectors, barangay workers and market vendors. It also aims to provide training in compost production and garden maintenance, alongside opportunities to develop small enterprises.

Earlier this year, Iligan City, the Island Garden City of Samal and Zamboanga City were also awarded support under the Green Economy Partnership to prepare circular economy projects involving the public and private sectors. The support covers technical assistance, feasibility studies and training in managing these partnerships. The planned projects aim to address local infrastructure and environmental needs, with measures to include informal waste workers. Together, these efforts show how EU humanitarian engagement and broader technical cooperation can complement one another in supporting preparedness, adaptation and sustainable resilience in the Philippines.

In July, the European Union and the Philippines elevated their relationship to an Enhanced Partnership. Both sides agreed to help communities adapt to climate change, improve waste management and prepare for disasters. This includes sharing experience in humanitarian assistance and emergency protection, improving early warning systems and using forecasts and risk information to act before disasters strike.

The joint statement also highlights Copernicus, the European Union’s Earth Observation Program. Its satellite data can help authorities identify hazards, anticipate damage to homes and infrastructure and prepare communities. After disasters, it can help responders assess damage, identify urgent needs and guide assistance and recovery.

These priorities also shaped our engagement at the ASEAN Ministerial Conference on Disaster Resilience, hosted by the Philippines on Sept. 15-16 under its ASEAN Chairship. The EU also supports ASEAN’s disaster management center, the AHA Center, in monitoring disasters, strengthening preparedness and coordinating responses. This cooperation includes training and exchanges of expertise to help strengthen the region’s ability to respond to emergencies.

The European Union will continue to stand with the Philippines when disaster strikes. Our cooperation will build on the experience of Philippine institutions and communities, supporting their ongoing efforts to prepare for emergencies. The next warning on our phones will remind us why this cooperation matters and why preparing together remains a shared priority.

Mastercard 5 Club Premier Golf Championship 2026 attracts 250 golfers

The Mastercard 5 Club Premier Golf Championship 2026 is set to attract more than 250 golfers for a competitive weekend of action at the Royal Colombo Golf Club (RCGC) today and 20 September.

The two-day tournament will bring together a strong field of golfers, with the opening day today featuring two shotgun starts at 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. This format is expected to provide an exciting start to the championship as players take on the challenging RCGC course. The final round will tee off with a shotgun start at 7 a.m. on 20 September, with golfers battling for top honours across the various categories.

The championship will conclude with lunch and the prize-giving ceremony from 12.30 p.m. onwards on 20 September at the RCGC Club House.

Oyo govt tackles APC’s Alli, defends streetlights, stadium renovation

The Oyo State Government has dismissed criticisms by Senator Sharafadeen Alli over the powering of streetlights and the renovation of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, describing the senator’s position as politically motivated.

The governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, in a statement on Saturday, said the criticisms were an attempt to distort the achievements of the administration.

Olanrewaju said the government would not apologise for keeping the state illuminated, arguing that the use of generators for streetlights was necessitated by inadequate electricity supply from the national grid.

He said, ‘The Makinde administration will never apologise for keeping Oyo State illuminated and secure. The only reason generators are being used is because the APC-led Federal Government, Senator Sharafadeen Alli’s party, has failed spectacularly to deliver the regular electricity supply it promised Nigerians.’

According to him, the state government had also taken steps to develop an alternative energy source through its solar power project.

He said, ‘Oyo State is not waiting for federal excuses. The government has built a 5MW solar plant, which is now being upgraded to 12MW, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable, independent and forward-looking energy solutions.’

On the Lekan Salami Stadium, the governor’s aide said the facility had hosted international football since its renovation, citing the February 2026 match between the Falconets and Senegal as evidence of its upgraded status.

He explained that the temporary halt in hosting some international matches involving 3SC was linked to further work being carried out at the facility to meet changing international requirements.

‘The renovation has already achieved what previous administrations could not. Ibadan is now hosting international matches, including the Falconets vs Senegal fixture in February 2026. This is a clear testament to the stadium’s upgraded status,’ he said.

Olanrewaju added that the further upgrades at the stadium should be viewed as part of the government’s effort to maintain and improve the facility rather than as a failure.

He said, ‘The temporary pause in 3SC’s international matches at the stadium is simply because the government is undertaking further upgrades to meet evolving international standards. That is called progress.’

The Special Adviser also responded to Alli’s criticism of Governor Makinde’s engineering credentials, saying the governor had extensive professional experience in engineering.

He said Makinde’s recognition by the Nigerian Society of Engineers as a Fellow of the organisation was evidence of his professional standing.

According to him, ‘Governor Seyi Makinde, on the other hand, is a distinguished engineer with decades of hands-on experience across multiple fields. His contributions to engineering are so significant that the Nigerian Society of Engineers awarded him its highest honour: Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.’

Olanrewaju said the administration remained focused on governance and development despite political criticism.

He said, ‘While some politicians specialise in shouting, this administration specialises in results. The Seyi Makinde-led government is busy delivering real development, not chasing clout or engaging in petty political bickering.’

He added that the state government would continue with its development agenda irrespective of political opposition.

‘The people of Oyo State deserve progress, not propaganda, and that is exactly what this administration will continue to deliver,’ Olanrewaju said.

Azerbaijan, Germany explore new opportunities for climate cooperation

Azerbaijan and Germany have discussed opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the areas of climate change and environmental protection.

Azerbaijan’s Presidential Representative on Climate Issues Mukhtar Babayev said on X that he discussed the issue during a meeting with Dirk Lölke, Germany’s newly appointed ambassador to Azerbaijan.

The two sides also discussed continuing cooperation within the framework of the global climate agenda.

‘We emphasized the importance of strengthening international cooperation to accelerate the implementation of climate commitments and achieve tangible progress,’ Babayev said.

À New Delhi, les BRICS appellent au renforcement du multilatéralisme et de la coopération

Les pays membres des BRICS ont adopté, à New Delhi, une déclaration commune à l’issue de leur 18e sommet, tenu les 12 et 13 septembre 2026. Le texte réaffirme leur engagement en faveur d’une gouvernance mondiale inclusive et du renforcement du multilatéralisme. Il appelle également à la paix et à la sécurité internationales et régionales, ainsi qu’à une croissance économique mondiale durable et inclusive, et souligne l’importance de la coopération culturelle et des échanges entre les peuples.

La Déclaration de New Delhi a réaffirmé l’engagement des dirigeants à réformer et à améliorer la gouvernance mondiale en promouvant un système international et multilatéral plus juste, plus équitable, plus agile, plus efficace, plus représentatif et plus responsable, guidé par un esprit de large consultation, de contribution conjointe et de partage des avantages.

Le texte réaffirme également l’attachement des pays membres au multilatéralisme et à la multipolarité ainsi qu’au respect du droit international, appelant à ce que les marchés émergents, les pays en développement et les pays les moins avancés bénéficient d’une participation et d’une représentation plus importantes et plus significatives dans les processus et structures décisionnels mondiaux.

Ils ont également exprimé leur rejet des tentatives visant à retenir délibérément les contributions obligatoires, à saper unilatéralement le travail des institutions multilatérales mondiales et à entraver la mise en œuvre de leurs mandats respectifs.

Les dirigeants ont également exprimé leur préoccupation face aux conflits en cours dans de nombreuses régions du monde et à l’état actuel de polarisation et de fragmentation de l’ordre international, et ont insisté sur la nécessité d’un règlement pacifique des différends internationaux par le dialogue, les consultations et la diplomatie.

Ils soulignent, dans le contexte des différends internationaux, l’importance de la diplomatie préventive et de la médiation, avec le consentement des parties concernées, comme outils essentiels pour éviter les crises et empêcher leur escalade, conformément aux buts et principes de la Charte des Nations Unies.

Constatant que les défis mondiaux actuels sont interdépendants et entravent la croissance économique tout en exacerbant les écarts de développement persistants entre les pays et les régions, les dirigeants ont réaffirmé l’importance particulière du développement durable et de la croissance inclusive dans l’agenda des Nations Unies.

Par ailleurs, la déclaration souligne que les dirigeants reconnaissent que l’intelligence artificielle offre d’immenses opportunités pour stimuler la croissance économique et le développement durable pour tous.

La déclaration réaffirme également l’importance des échanges et des initiatives entre les peuples des BRICS pour favoriser la compréhension mutuelle, l’amitié et la coopération. Les dirigeants y appellent à redoubler d’efforts pour respecter la diversité culturelle, valoriser le patrimoine, l’innovation et la créativité, et soutenir des échanges et une coopération internationaux solides entre les peuples.

Les dirigeants ont également déclaré leur plein soutien à la Chine pendant sa présidence des BRICS en 2027 et à la tenue du 19e sommet des BRICS en Chine.

Deputy Speaker calls for WTO action on food security

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu has challenged the World Trade Organization (WTO) to deliver concrete outcomes on public stockholding for food security and investment facilitation, warning that prolonged delays are eroding confidence in the multilateral trading system.

Speaking at the 57th Session of the Steering Committee of the Parliamentary Conference on the World Trade Organization, (PCWTO) in Geneva, Switzerland, Kalu acknowledged progress on fisheries subsidies and development issues but said the WTO’s credibility would be judged by its ability to deliver for developing countries.

The Deputy Speaker expressed concern over the failure to reach a permanent solution on public stockholding for food security, 13 years after the commitment at the 2013 Bali Ministerial Conference, noting that Nigeria has co-sponsored the demand by the African Group, the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group and the G33 for a permanent solution.

He said: ‘Thirteen years cannot be explained as an ordinary negotiating delay. Behind every delayed outcome are farmers, workers and families living with the consequences of decisions we defer’.

Kalu proposed that members consider a waiver under Article IX:3 of the Marrakesh Agreement to cover qualifying public stockholding programmes, arguing that consensus should not render an explicit treaty mechanism permanently unusable in the face of pressing food security needs as an interim measure.

He also raised concerns over the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement, where overwhelming support has been stalled by a single formal objection, and called for greater accountability from national parliaments.

According to him, parliaments should submit reports of concrete actions taken to advance PCWTO and WTO outcomes ahead of each Steering Committee meeting.

Kalu observed that efforts to improve attendance alone would not resolve the challenge of parliamentary relevance in trade governance, noting that many legislatures are briefed only after negotiating positions have been finalised.

He proposed that future PCWTO sessions be anchored on a focused economic agenda addressing contested issues such as public stockholding, investment facilitation, the e-commerce moratorium and digital trade rules, to enable parliamentarians to transmit clear conclusions and areas of divergence to trade ministers ahead of negotiations.

Kalu however secured reaffirmation from the IPU Secretary-General of the Union’s commitment towards the successful hosting of the PCWTO event scheduled for Abuja in 2027.

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to a fair, credible and development-oriented trading system.

He said ‘Yaoundé revealed problems that are already well understood. The challenge

now is to create political accountability for governments to explain what they

are actually doing about them. If credibility is the issue, accountability must be the response.

‘I propose that before each Steering Committee meeting, participating parliaments should report on concrete steps taken within their own jurisdictions to advance the outcomes of Yaoundé and MC14, identifying the responsible authority, the action taken, the government’s stated position and the current status.

‘Too often, our discussions focus on what Geneva has or has not done. We should devote equal attention to what our own governments and legislatures have done since the last meeting. Accountability must run in both directions.

‘We should hold ourselves to the same standard of accountability we ask of

Geneva. Nigeria commits to doing so.

Distinguished colleagues, behind every delayed outcome are farmers, workers and families living with the consequences of decisions we defer. The WTO’s credibility is not measured by the sophistication of its rules. It is measured by whether the members who need it most have rational grounds to trust it.

‘Nigeria is not here to add to the diagnosis. We are here to help restore that trust’, Kalu said.

Director General of WTO, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala presented an update on the organisation reforms covering decision-making, development, special and differential treatment, fairness and dispute settlement.

She said that while consensus ensures equal voice for all members, its application as unanimity has allowed single objections to block broadly supported outcomes.

She urged parliamentarians to move beyond criticism and propose practical solutions to rebuild trust, citing transparency and improved notifications as potential confidence-building measures and inviting written submissions on reforms.

The former Nigerian Minister backed deeper engagement between parliamentarians and Geneva-based actors, including national WTO representatives, the Chair of the General Council, reform facilitators and committee chairs, to give legislators a more direct role in the reform debate, while stressing the member-driven nature of the WTO.

Okonjo-Iweala acknowledged that the trading system has not served many developing and poorer countries effectively, defended the continued relevance of special and differential treatment, and called for a more credible framework that accounts for varying levels of development.

She equally underscored the importance of investment facilitation for developing economies and confirmed that restoring an effective two-tier dispute settlement system remains on the reform agenda, even if its eventual design differs from the past.

Recipients may get 1,000-baht boost

The government has indicated that the second phase of the Thais Help Thais Plus co-payment scheme is likely to provide a one-off 1,000-baht allowance, which can be used over two months.

State welfare-card holders would receive an additional 700 baht on top of their regular 300-baht entitlement, bringing the total to 1,000 baht.

Government spokesman Ekkapob Pianpises said on Friday that the final details were awaiting consideration by the committee screening the spending of loans under the emergency decree.

Following discussions with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, he said the scheme was expected to retain the 60:40 co-payment formula. Welfare-card holders would receive 700 baht, bringing their total entitlement to 1,000 baht.

“No additional budget would need to be allocated, as adding the 1,000 baht had been calculated for a two-month period and would provide greater flexibility in spending,” Dr Ekkapob said.

Permanent Secretary for Finance Lavaron Sangsnit said he was scheduled to discuss the matter with Mr Ekniti later on Friday.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he had approved the extension in principle but would leave Mr Ekniti to announce the conditions officially. The measures should reach people, he said.

Asked about the impact of the US Federal Reserve’s recent 0.25-percentage-point rate increase, Mr Anutin said the government would not take action that caused hardship for the public.

He said the Thais Help Thais Plus scheme was among the measures intended to ease living costs amid current economic difficulties. He rejected describing the policy as populist, saying it was intended both to stimulate the economy and reduce people’s expenses.

Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said the economic team met on Monday to address rising energy prices.

A package is expected to be submitted to the cabinet on Tuesday, after the measures receive the PM’s approval.

She said the Commerce Ministry would oversee consumer and agricultural prices.

Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt would examine the laws and regulations governing the sourcing of funds to manage energy prices appropriately.

SOFAZ’s $72 billion to deploy as AI rewrites infrastructure market

Amid fluctuating interest rates in global financial markets and rising geoeconomic risks, sovereign wealth funds are taking more aggressive and strategic diversification steps to preserve the profitability of their portfolios. Israfil Mammadov, Executive Director of the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), visited Toronto in September as part of the ‘Canada Investment Summit 2026.’ The visit signals a new stage in the management of the Fund’s more than $72 billion in assets, with a particular focus on joint investments with global companies in real assets, alternative energy and digital infrastructure.

The most notable aspect of the visit was the meeting with the management of ‘Brookfield Asset Management,’ which has more than $1 trillion in assets under management. Partnering with such institutional players, which have more than 100 years of experience in global private markets, provides SOFAZ with an opportunity for proper risk allocation. Looking at existing statistics, more than 55% of SOFAZ’s investment portfolio consists of fixed-income securities, more than 20% of equities, around 10% of real estate, and 10%-12% of gold assets. However, the fact that global inflation has remained in the 3%-5% range over the past three years and uncertainties in the monetary policies of central banks show that traditional directions may not fully ensure the expected real returns. In this regard, directing SOFAZ capital toward real infrastructure projects protected against inflation and with a target annual return of around 8%-12% is a strategic move.

It is true that the traditional understanding of infrastructure from the last century has now changed fundamentally. Today, when we talk about ‘infrastructure,’ digital centers and green energy generators are primarily meant. As a result of the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, the energy consumption of data centers has increased sharply. According to estimates, global data centers’ demand for electricity will at least double by 2030, reaching 1,000 terawatt-hours (TWh). This requires hundreds of billions of dollars in investment in the digitalization and renewable energy sectors over the next 5-10 years. This trend is also at the center of the discussions with ‘Brookfield’: becoming a partner in infrastructure capable of meeting the enormous energy demand created by digitalization.

The growing demand for electricity from data centers also creates a direct link between two investment themes that were previously considered separate: digital infrastructure and energy infrastructure. As computing capacity expands, investors increasingly need to consider the availability, reliability and long-term cost of electricity alongside the physical infrastructure required for data storage and processing. This makes renewable energy generation, power transmission networks and other supporting infrastructure increasingly relevant to long-term institutional investment strategies.

On the other hand, Canada’s pension and investment fund management model is considered the gold standard in the global market. The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) alone manages more than $600 billion in assets. The meetings held by SOFAZ management with institutions such as CPPIB, PSP Investments and the Canada Development Fund, as well as with Japan’s GPIF fund, whose assets exceed $1.5 trillion, are critical in terms of institutional exchange of experience. Establishing co-investment mechanisms on such platforms creates an opportunity for SOFAZ to enter large projects with a 5%-15% stake, where entering alone would be risky, and to minimize risks.

For a sovereign wealth fund, such cooperation also provides access to investment structures, management expertise and international networks that would be more difficult to develop independently. Co-investment allows large institutional investors to share the capital requirements and risks associated with major infrastructure projects while retaining exposure to long-term assets. This model can therefore complement SOFAZ’s existing portfolio structure without requiring a fundamental shift away from its established investment principles.

In conclusion, SOFAZ’s contacts in Toronto show that the Fund is rapidly transforming from a passive capital accumulator during the oil boom era into an active investor model that anticipates global trends. Diversifying even 5%-8% of the $58 billion portfolio into the high-return energy transition and digital infrastructure projects of the future will guarantee that the value of the massive capital accumulated for future generations will continue to grow at a rate exceeding inflation over the coming decades.

Namal further remanded till Tuesday

Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over allegations of accepting a Rs. 100 million bribe in connection with the purchase of Airbus aircraft, was yesterday ordered to be further remanded until 29 September, by the Colombo Chief Magistrate.

The Magistrate directed the defence counsel to file a written bail application on 22 September and directed the Bribery Commission, the complainant in the case, to file its objections by 25 September.

The Magistrate further stated that the bail order would be delivered on 29 September.