Making submissions to Colombo additional magistrate Nishantha Peiris yesterday (28), the FCID said an investigation was underway against them under the money laundering act.

The investigation follows a complaint that Namal had abused his MP position during the previous regime to amass wealth, using which Hello Corp shares were bought.

While being an MP, Namal had signed trade deals with the state, the FCID noted, pointing out he was the owner of Gower's Corporate, which is now the owner of Hello Corp.

He had invested more than Rs. 100 million to obtain Hello Corp’s ownership.

The other suspects are directors of the company Indika Prabhath Karunajeewa, Pavitra Sujani Bogollagama, Nitya Senani Samaranayake, Sudarshana Bandara Ganegoda and Iresh Silva.

Pursuant to a request by the FCID, the court issued a warrant for the arrest of Karunajeewa, who has reportedly fled the country.

The FCID was ordered to submit a further investigation report on September 01.