Gammanpila's Rs. 21 million case fixed for January 16

Further trial into a case filed against Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader MP Udaya Gammanpila and another accused for allegedly misappropriating Rs. 21 million following their alleged fraudulent share transaction that took place in 2000 was yesterday fixed for January 16 by the Colombo High Court.

Australian businessman Brian Shaddick, 74, a key witness in the alleged financial fraud case, was cross-examined by defence counsel. The witness is to be further cross-examined on next trial day.

The two accused, Udaya Gammanpila and Sydney Jayasinghe, are currently on bail.

The Attorney General (AG) alleged that MP Udaya Gammanpila has cheated Rs. 20 million and misappropriated another Rs. 21 million along with Sydney Jayasinghe, the second accused, when selling shares of Digital Nominees to a businessman called Dhammika Perera.

The AG further charged that the alleged business transaction had taken place using a fraudulent Power of Attorney to sell shares belonging to Australian businessman Brian Shadick.

The AG has listed 20 persons as the witnesses in the case and named 16 documents as production items of the case. MP Gammanpila was arrested in this regard on June 18, 2016.

Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris appeared for the Attorney General.

President's Counsel Jayantha Weerasinghe with Shavindra Fernando and senior counsel Nalinda Indatissa appeared for Gammanpila.