Court to hear Yoshitha’s review petition on Tuesday
COLOMBO – The Court of Appeal on Monday (15) fixed for Tuesday (16), the hearing of a review petition filed by Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, challenging the continuation of criminal proceedings against him under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Money Laundering laws.
The petition is due to be taken up before a bench of Court of Appeal judges comprising Amal Ranaraja and Dr Sumudu Premachandra.
At a previous hearing, counsel Hafeel Fariz, appearing for Rajapaksa, argued that the indictment was originally filed against his client and a co-accused, Daisy Forest, on allegations including conspiracy. However, he noted that the Attorney General had subsequently discharged Forest from the case and contended that continuing to pursue a conspiracy-related charge against a sole remaining accused would be legally untenable.
Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, appearing for the Attorney General, submitted before court that the charge of “conspiracy’’ can be maintained even against a single accused, urging the court to dismiss the petitioner’s objections and allow the case to proceed.
After considering submissions from both parties, the Court of Appeal fixed the matter for further consideration on Tuesday.
According to the indictment, between March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2013, a sum of approximately Rs 59 million alleged to have been unlawfully acquired was deposited in fixed accounts maintained at three banks, constituting an offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The case was initially filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa and Daisy Forest, who was later discharged from the proceedings after authorities informed the court that her health condition prevented her from participating in the investigation and legal process.
-ENCL
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