Gammanpila Acquitted in Fraud Case

by Staff Writer 24-03-2025 | 5:54 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Former Minister Udaya Gammanpila was acquitted & released today (24) by the Colombo High Court in a case involving the alleged criminal misappropriation of Rs. 21 million through a fraudulent share transaction.

The court also acquitted Sydney Jayasinghe, a businessman who was co-accused in the case.

The charges stemmed from allegations that between September 26, 1996, and September 25, 1997, Gammanpila and Jayasinghe had misused a fraudulent Power of Attorney to sell shares worth Rs. 21 million belonging to a company owned by Australian businessman Brian Shaddick.

After a lengthy trial, High Court Judge Namal Balalle ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

The court's decision highlighted the lack of sufficient evidence to support the allegations against the accused.

Gammanpila, leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU), expressed his relief at the verdict, stating that the truth had prevailed and that the court had recognized the baseless nature of the charges.

He emphasized the importance of an independent judiciary in protecting individuals from false corruption allegations.