The Permanent High Court Trial at Bar has decided to hear the D.A. Rajapaksa Museum case against the former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa from January 22.
The case was taken up before the Special High Court three-judge bench comprising Judges Sampath Abeykoon, Sampath Wijeratne, and Champa Janaki Rajaratne this morning.
Accordingly, the case filed against former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and six others in connection with an incident that the D.A. Rajapaksa Museum and Memorial in Medamulana was built using public funds amounting to Rs.33.9 million was yesterday fixed for January 17 by Colombo Permanent High Court-at-Bar.
When the case came up before Trial-at-bar bench comprised High Court Judges Sampath Abeykoon (President), Sampath Wijeratne and Champa Janaki Rajaratne, the counsel appeared on behalf of the LRDC told court that her Corporation is not in a position to submit several documents pertaining to the indictments.
Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris appearing for the Attorney General sought an order directing the chairman of LRDC to personally appear in court to inquire into their failure to submit concerned documents.
This case has been fixed for day-to-day trial commencing from January 22 by Colombo Permanent High Court-at-Bar.
The indictments were filed against seven accused former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, members of the director board of Land Reclamation and Development Corporation (LRDC) Chairman Prasad Harshan de Silva, Bhadra Udulawathi Kamaladada, Sudammika Keminda Artigala, Saman Kumara Abraham Galappatti, Devage Mahinda Saliya and Srimathi Mallika Kumari Senadheera under seven counts for allegedly misappropriating LRDC funds amounting to Rs.33.9 million.
The seven accused are currently out on bail.
However, first accused Gotabaya Rajapaksa was not present in court yesterday. The court was informed that Gotabaya Rajapaksa has gone abroad with court's permission.
Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris with Senior State Counsel Wasantha Perera appeared for the Attorney General. President's Counsel Ali Sabry with Anil Silva PC appeared for the accused.
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