Court Reschedules Yoshitha Money Laundering Trial to September 10

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Colombo High Court today fixed September 10 for the continuation of hearings in the money laundering case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga.

When the matter was called, a junior counsel appearing on behalf of President's Counsel Sampath Mendis, who represents Yoshitha Rajapaksa, informed court that the accused was appearing in another case before Colombo High Court No. 10.

The junior lawyer further informed court that the mother-in-law of President's Counsel Sampath Mendis had passed away, making it impossible for him to appear before court for the hearing.

Accordingly, the defence requested that the case be taken up on another date.

Responding to the request, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, told court that President's Counsel Mendis had already informed the prosecution that he would be unable to attend the hearing.

The Deputy Solicitor General stated that the prosecution had no objection to the matter being fixed for another date and added that arrangements would be made through the Criminal Investigation Department to notify witnesses to appear when the trial resumes.

After considering the submissions, Judge Udesh Ranatunga ordered that the further hearing of the case be called on September 10 and directed the witnesses who had been scheduled to testify today to appear before court on the next hearing date.

The Attorney General has filed the case alleging that Yoshitha Rajapaksa committed an offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by unlawfully acquiring five plots of land in the Dehiwala and Ratmalana areas valued at more than Rs. 73 million.