Colombo Permanent High Court-at-Bar today ordered to release six accused from the D.A. Rajapaksa Museum case filed by Attorney General.

 

At a previous occasion, President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa was ordered to be released from this case after taking into consideration the constitutional immunity of President from suit.

 

Accordingly, the indictments were proceeded against six accused, members of the director board of Land Reclamation and Development Corporation (LRDC) Chairman Prasad Harshan de Silva, Bhadra Udulawathi Kamaladasa, Sudammika Keminda Artigala, Saman Kumara Abraham Galappatti, Devage Mahinda Saliya and Srimathi Mallika Kumari Senadheera under seven counts for allegedly misappropriating LRDC funds of Rs.33.9 million.

 

President's Counsel Anil Silva appearing for the defence submitted to Court that they had made a request to the Attorney General urging to release six accused since case cannot be proceeded without the first accused. He further said defence had brought the attention of the Attorney General regarding the fact that due payment owed to LRDC have aalready made by D.A. Rajapaksa Foundation.

 

Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Pieris appearing for the  Attorney General inform the court that the Attorney General will not further prosecute the accused since the due payment owed to Land Reclamation and Development Corporation (LRDC) have been settled. He moved Court to release the six accused from the case in terms of section 194(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

 

Counsel appeared on behalf of the LRDC also admitted the fact that the Chairman of LRDC had issued a letter in this regard, confirming the fact that D.A. Rajapaksa Foundation has made due payment.

 

Taking into consideration the facts, Trial-at-Bar bench comprising High Court Judges Champa Janaki Rajaratne (President), Damith Thotawatte and Namal Balalle ordered to release the accused from the case.