The Attorney General today informed Colombo High Court that his stance regarding the maintainability of the almanac case filed against two accused including Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa will be informed to the High Court on November 11.

 

The Attorney General had filed indictments against Minister Basil Rajapaksa and former Director-General of Divi Neguma Department Kithsiri Ranawaka in the Colombo High Court for allegedly printing 5 million almanacs with the image of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, costing Rs.29.4 million, to be used as election propaganda material, during January-2015 Presidential election.

 

Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Pieris appearing for the Attorney General informed High Court Judge Damith Thotawatte that the Attorney General's stance regarding his intention to proceed with this case will be informed to the Court on November 11.

 

 

Accordingly, the case against two accused including former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa for allegedly misappropriating Rs.29.4 million of funds belonging to the Divi Neguma Department was fixed for November 11.

 

The Attorney General had alleged that by printing these almanacs between 23 November and 31 December 2014, these accused had attempted to influence citizens of this country to vote for presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa. The Attorney General maintained that the act of the accused deems him guilty of the offence of bribery by section 79 of the Presidential Election Act No 15 of 1981.

 

The Attorney General had also listed 32 people including former Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya as witnesses in the case. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)