Retired CID Inspector Padmasiri Dias testifying before the Colombo High Court said that investigations into the case filed against State Minister of Power Mahindananda Aluthgamage for allegedly misappropriating Rs.3.9 million belonging to a trade union affiliated to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) have revealed that the transactions were done in a systematic manner and State Minister Aluthgamage had not committed any wrongdoing.
He further said that State Minister Aluthgamage had obtained the aforesaid amount as a loan following a formal procedure and that the amount had been repaid within three months and that there was no fault in the transactions.
When the case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendi, President’s Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetti appearing for State Minister Aluthgamage in cross-examination of the witness, questioned that Investigations have not revealed whether State Minister Aluthgamage owned 17 acres of coconut land in Kurunegala, 92 acres in Ratnapura, 70 acres in Kotmale, 20 acres of cardamom cultivation and five acres in Kotmale inherited from parents.Responding to the query, witness Padmasiri Dias said that investigations had revealed that Aluthgamage had inherited nearly 197 acres of tea and coconut cultivated land and a tea factory.
“Although he knew that State Minister Aluthgamage owned a large amount of property, no investigation was carried out regarding the revenue generated from it,” he added.
The case will be taken up for further trial on November 5.
Deputy Solicitor General Thusith Mudalige with Senior Counsel Nadee Sudurugoda appeared on behalf of the Attorney General.
President’s Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetti with Attorneys-at-Law Buddhika Chandrasekara, Shalika Gunawardena, Janaka Ranatunga and Senior Counsel Kanchana Ratwatte appeared for State Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage.
The Attorney General had filed indictments against Mahindananda Aluthgamage alleging that he had misappropriated Rs.3.9 million belonging to a trade union affiliated to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), during the previous Mahinda Rajapaksa regime.
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