Case against Basil Rajapaksa and Thirukumaran Nadesan taken up

COLOMBO (News1st) - The case filed against Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa and businessman Thirukumaran Nadesan for misappropriating Rs. 250 million in public funds, was taken up for the first time at the Gampaha High Court. The indictments filed against the defendants were read out in the presence of High Court Judge, Priyantha Fernando. President's Counsel, Gamini Marapana, who appeared on behalf of Basil Rajapaksa filed an objection claiming cases cannot be filed against politicians under the Bribery Act. However, High Court Judge Priyantha Fernando dismissed the objections and decided to take up the case. The notary who prepared the last agreement has reported that when the deal was taking place, Thirukumaran Nadesan had not appeared. In his evidence, the notary said only an architect by the name of Mudith Jayakody had arrived. He further said, the land was purchased under the name of Thirukumaran Nadesan. The Attorney General filed indictments against Basil Rajapaksa and Thirukumaran Nadesan for misappropriating Rs. 250 million to purchase a land in the Malwana area in Gampaha and to construct a luxury house, a swimming pool and a farm on the premises.