Convict freed by presidential pardon now jailed for 7 years in a fraud case

25 July 2025 10:20 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 6 Bookmark

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By Upali Ananda

Colombo, July 25 (Daily Mirror) - The individual who was illegally released through a fabricated presidential pardon on Vesak Poya Day, Athula Thilakarathna, has, in a separate case, been found guilty of forgery and fraudulent use of documents and sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment by the Anuradhapura High Court on Wednesday (23).

High Court Judge Dr. Nalin de Hevawasam delivered the verdict, imposing five years of rigorous imprisonment for forging documents to withdraw funds from a bank and an additional two years for fraudulent use of those documents. Thilakarathna was also ordered to pay compensation of Rs. 4 million to the complainant, Dr. S.D.A. Gamini Wimalananda, or serve an additional 10 months in prison if the payment is not made.

The conviction is linked to a financial fraud involving Rs. 3.5 million, which Thilakarathna illegally acquired while working as a manager at a reputed financial institution.

Authorities confirmed that six more financial fraud cases are pending against him at the Anuradhapura High Court, along with 22 additional cases at the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Athula Thilakarathna has defrauded over Rs. 500 million in connection with these cases.

The complainants in these cases include prominent businessmen, specialist medical officers, doctors, senior police officers, government administrative officials, and several other high-profile individuals.

Athula Thilakaratna, an inmate of the Anuradhapura Prison, was unlawfully released following a fabricated letter dated June 6, 2025, sent to the Ministry of Justice, falsely claiming that he had been granted a presidential pardon.

Comments - 6

Insider Friday, 25 July 2025 10:52 AM

So if he had defrauded over Rs. 500 million in connection with these cases, no wonder he had enough to bribe his way out of prison.

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Aloysius Friday, 25 July 2025 02:06 PM

What about Ravi K?

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BanduXX Friday, 25 July 2025 10:54 AM

So if he illegally acquired such a vast sum, while working as a manager at a reputed financial institution, the financial security and audit methods must be weak or others colluded with him..

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Dr Tissa Fernando Friday, 25 July 2025 11:23 AM

That why we voted AKD @ Malima there so many crook from Rajapakse clan good eye opener we need to send each every crook to jail

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Guppi Friday, 25 July 2025 12:22 PM

So, 10 months in jail will square off 4 million debt?

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BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 25 July 2025 01:15 PM

If the Ranils or Rajapakse's were in power, he would not need to make fabricated documents to get released from Prison, he only needs to pay those Ministers to get released. Even if the pardon was illegal, there would not be an investigation, because that era was a powerful in corruption.

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