The Colombo High Court decided to commence trial against former Sports Minister and Kandy District MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage on February 27, in connection with an indictment filed against him by the Attorney General for the alleged criminal breach of trust of Rs. 3.9 million funds belonging to a trade union named Sri Lanka Nidahas Kamkaru Congress, yesterday.
The case was to be taken up for trial yesterday, but Defence Counsel Hafeel Farisz, appearing for the accused, moved court that the case be fixed for a new trial date since his senior counsel, Nalin Ladduwahetty PC, was unable to prepare for the trial. Farisz said the accused had decided to retain Ladduwahetty PC on February 13, just two days prior to the trial date, leaving no sufficient time period to prepare for the trial.
High Court Judge Sampath Wijeratne decided to commence trial proceedings since this case had been postponed on several occasions, following the request of the defence.
Senior Counsel Jeewantha Jayatilleke, appearing for the first witness, informed court that his client has arrived from the UK to provide evidence.
Subsequently, Counsel Hafeel Farisz informed court that President’s Counsel Ladduwahetty had taken a decision not to appear for Aluthgamage on the next date.
The Attorney General alleged that former Sports Minister Aluthgamage has committed a criminal breach of trust with regard to Rs. 1,000,000, misappropriated Rs. 1,900,000, and misappropriated another Rs. 1,000,000 belonging to the Sri Lanka Nidahas Kamkaru Congress between October, 2012 and April, 2013.
The Attorney General charged that the accused had committed punishable offences under section 388 and 389 of the Penal Code, listed 13 persons as witnesses in the case and named eight documents as production items.
Deputy Solicitor General Thusith Mudalige appeared for the Attorney General.
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