Gamini Senarath acquitted and released from charges of misappropriating State funds

The Special High Court Trial-at-Bar yesterday acquitted and released former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s top aide Gamini Senarath and two others, who had been charged with misappropriation of State funds.

Gamini Senerath

The Permanent High Court ordered the acquittal of the former President’s Chief of Staff Gamini Senarath and two others accused in the misappropriation of Rs. 500 million belonging to the Litro Gas Company during the previous Government.The decision was taken by a three-member High Court Bench, comprising Justices Sampath Abeykoon, Sampath Wijeratne and Champa Janaki Rajaratna.

Judge Sampath Abeykoon, Chairman of the three-member High Court Bench, said that the allegations levelled against the Defendants had not been proved beyond a reasonable doubt.

Accordingly, the Judge stated that the accused were acquitted, as there was no basis to continue the charges against them.

Gamini Senarath, former Executive Director of Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC) Piyadasa Kudabalage, and Director General of the Samurdhi Development Department Neil Bandara Hapuhinna were accused of illegally investing Rs. 500 million of public funds, which had been given by Litro Gas Company to Canwill Holdings Ltd., at Helanco Hotels and Spa.