18 July 2019 12:05 pm
The five-judge Bench of the Supreme Court today deferred to September 9, the appeal petition filed by former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa challenging the Trial-at-Bar order dated January 11, 2019, in the D. A. Rajapaksa Museum case.
The Bench comprised Justices Sisira J De Abrew, Priyantha Jayawardane, Prasanna S. Jayawardena, Vijith Malalgoda, L.T.B. Dehideniya.
Attorney General informed SC that they were going to amend the charges in the High Court.
On February 11, the Permanent High Court-at-Bar decided to over-rule preliminary objections raised by Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and six others in connection with the D.A. Rajapaksa Museum case citing that the Permanent High Court-at-Bar had no jurisdiction to hear this case.
The Attorney General had filed indictments against seven accused, former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, members of the director board of Land Reclamation and Development Corporation (LRDC) Chairman Prasad Harshan de Silva, Bhadra Udulawathi Kamaladasa, Sudammika Kheminda Attigala, 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.
Romesh de Silva, PC with Sugath Caldera instructed by Sanath Wijewardane appeared for Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
Additional Solicitor General Priyantha Nawanna with State Counsel Udara Karunaratne appeared for Attorney General.(S.S. Selvanayagam)