3 July 2021 12:00 am Views - 101
Colombo Permanent High Court-at-Bar yesterday (02) ordered to release six accused from the D.A. Rajapaksa Museum case filed by the Attorney General.
On a previous occasion, President Gotabaya 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 the six accused since the case cannot be proceeded without the first accused.
He further said that the defence had brought to the attention of the Attorney General, the fact that the due payment owed to LRDC have already been made by the D.A. Rajapaksa Foundation.
Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Pieris appearing for the Attorney General informed Court that the Attorney General will not further prosecute the accused since the due payment owed to Land Reclamation and Development Corporation (LRDC) has been settled. He submitted to court that the Attorney General has no intention to proceed with case in terms of section 194(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Counsel that 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 settled the 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.