A case filed against former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage for allegedly purchasing a house valued at Rs.27 million at Kynsey Road, Colombo 7, over a complaint that he had allegedly purchased properties through illegally acquired money, was yesterday taken up for further trial by the Colombo High Court.
Testifying before the Colombo High Court, the Treasurer of a trade union named Sri Lanka Nidahas Kamkaru Congress, affirmed in Court that he took measures to transfer the trade union’s funds amounting to Rs.2.9 million among three individuals, including former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage.
At a previous occasion, witness Douglas Kahawage informed Court that former Minister Aluthgamage was functioning as the President of the Sri Lanka Nidahas Kamkaru Congress and that he had made a request that a loan be granted amounting to Rs.2.9 million.
The witness said the funds were subsequently remitted to three bank accounts belonging to former Minister Aluthgamage, his security officer and a personnel staff member to the tune of Rs.1.4 million, Rs 1 million and Rs.500,000 respectively.
The case was fixed for further trial on May 9 by High Court Judge Gihan Kulatunga.
Court was informed that Aluthgamage had filed a transfer case in the Court of Appeal seeking an order transferring this case to any other court other than the Colombo High Court presided over by High Court Judge Gihan Kulatunga. This transfer application is to be taken up before the Court of Appeal on April 5.
The Attorney General had filed indictments against Mahindananda Aluthgamage, alleging that Aluthgamage had purchased a house at Kynsey Road, Colombo 7 from an individual named Christopher Roshan for Rs. 27 million. The Attorney General alleged that the accused has failed to disclose how he was able to raise the money for the purchase of the house and further alleged that he had committed an offence that comes under Section 3 and 4 of the the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The former Minister stands accused of financial irregularities in a complaint lodged against him by the Convener of the Voice Against Corruption Wasantha Samarasinghe.
Deputy Solicitor General Thusith Mudalige appeared for the Attorney General.
President’s Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetty with Counsel Hafeel Farisz appeared for the accused.
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