By Lakmal Sooriyagoda  

Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa through his counsel yesterday raised objections challenging the maintainability of the corruption case filed against him by the Bribery Commission.  
The Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption had filed indictments against Wimal Weerawansa for the alleged unlawful acquisition of money and assets, estimated at Rs.75 million within a period of six years while serving as a Minister between 2009 and 2015. The Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption alleged that the former Minister had committed this offence by way of undeclared assets between January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2014.  

President’s Counsel Shavindra Fernando appearing for Wimal Weerawansa argued that charges filed against his client under the Bribery Act cannot be maintained since his client is not a public officer but a public representative.  

Additional Solicitor General Ayesha Jinasena appearing for the Bribery Commission sought a date to file objections against the preliminary objections raised by the defence.  High Court Judge fixed the case for November 28 and directed both parties to file objections on the next hearing date.  

The indictments were filed against former Minister under 39 incidents based on monitory and property transactions estimated at Rs.75 million.