Former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa through his counsel yesterday raised preliminary objections that the Colombo Permanent High Court-at-Bar does not have jurisdiction to hear the D.A. Rajapaksa Museum case.The case filed against former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and six others was yesterday fixed for January 31 by the Colombo Permanent High Court-at-Bar. The case involves allegations that the D.A.Rajapaksa Museum and Memorial in Medamulana was built using public funds amounting to Rs.33.9 million.
President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva appearing for the first accused Gotabaya Rajapaksa said the High Court-at-Bar had no jurisdiction to hear this case since it was not a case filed under the provisions of Judicature Act. He said the Judicature Act was amended to establish courts connected to financial and economic offenses, but this matter would not come under that category. Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris appearing for the Attorney General informed court that he will make his reply to the preliminary objections on the next date.
The Trial-at-Bar bench comprised High Court Judges Sampath Abeykoon (President), Sampath Wijeratne and Champa Janaki Rajaratne.
Indictments were filed 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 Keminda Artigala, 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.
The seven accused are currently on bail. Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris with Senior State Counsel Wasantha Perera appeared for the Attorney General. President’s Counsel Ali Sabry with Anil Silva PC appeared for the accused.
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