Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and former Divi Neguma Department Director General Kithsiri Ranawaka were ordered to be released from the case filed against them for allegedly misappropriating Rs.36.5 million of funds belonging to the Divi Neguma Department to purchase GI pipes, by the Colombo High Court.
Colombo High Court Judge Namal Balalle today (15) ordered the release of Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Kithsiri Ranawaka after the Attorney General informed the Court that the charges against them would not be moved forward.
Deputy Solicitor General Azad Nawawi, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, sought permission from the court to withdraw the indictment under Section 194 (3) of the Criminal Procedure Code on the Attorney General's decision not to pursue further indictments against the accused.
The Deputy Solicitor General has stated that the four accused, including these two accused, were released on November 30 in a case related to the misuse of Divi Neguma funds filed against them in another Court and Defence have previously stated that it is not possible to pursue this case because the allegations in the cases are the same.
Accordingly, the Deputy Solicitor General told the Court that the case would be withdrawn after the Attorney General decided that the case could not be continued.
After considering the facts, the Colombo High Court Judge allowed the Prosecution’s request and ordered that the two accused be released from all charges.
President's Counsel Gamini Marapana, Navin Marapana PC and Jayantha Weerasinghe PC appeared for the defence.
Add new comment