Witnesses detail Dehiwala, Ratmalana property purchase in Yoshitha Rajapaksa trial
COLOMBO – The Colombo High Court on Thursday (9) postponed until July 17, the further evidence inquiry in the money laundering case against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is accused of unlawfully acquiring five plots of land valued at more than Rs 73 million in violation of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
Colombo High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga made the order after recording evidence from four prosecution witnesses. The prosecution was led by Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara.
Among those who testified was Yasara Abeynayake, the former head of CSN Television and Rajapaksa’s former partner, who told court that she had been in a relationship with him between 2009 and 2013.
Abeynayake said that while the couple had been planning to marry, Rajapaksa had taken her to a house on Mihindu Mawatha in Dehiwala, which he had described as belonging to his grandmother. She said they had also consulted an interior designer regarding plans to move into the property after their marriage,
Another prosecution witness, Lushan Ratnayake, testified that he had decided to sell his house and a 34.5-perch property at Kekatiya Road, Sirimal Uyana, Ratmalana, for Rs 34 million to meet medical expenses for his wife.
Ratnayake told court that the buyer had been introduced through his friend, Wasantha Jayasuriya, but that he was unaware of the purchaser’s identity until the transfer documents were signed at Standard Chartered Bank in Rajagiriya. He said he later learned that the property had been purchased in the name of Daisy Forest, Rajapaksa’s grandmother.
He further testified that the deed was executed only after the full purchase price of Rs 34.54 million had been deposited into the bank account, although he did not know who had made the payment. Ratnayake also confirmed that Rajapaksa and Abeynayake had visited the property before the sale.
Jayasuriya, who also gave evidence, said he had informed Rajapaksa about the Sirimal Uyana property because the latter was planning to marry Abeynayake.
According to his testimony, Rajapaksa expressed interest in purchasing the property, after which the sale documentation was completed at Standard Chartered Bank in Rajagiriya.
Jayasuriya further told court that the Rs 34 million required for the purchase had been brought to the bank in cash inside a travel bag by a person who appeared to be a security officer.
Following the day’s proceedings, Judge Ranatunga adjourned the case until July 17 and directed the remaining prosecution witnesses to appear before court on that date.
–ENCL
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.