Five-judge SC Bench defers Gota’s appeal against HC trial-at-bar for 9 Sept.

By S.S. Selvanayagam

The five-judge Bench of the Supreme Court yesterday (18) deferred the Appeal Petition filed by former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, challenging the Trial-at-Bar order dated 11 January 2019 in the D. A. Rajapaksa Museum case, for 9 September.

The Bench comprised Justices Sisira J De Abrew, Priyantha Jayawardane, Prasanna S. Jayawardena, Vijith Malalgoda, and L.T.B. Dehideniya.

The Attorney General informed the SC that they will amend the charges in the High Court.

On February 11, the Permanent High Court-at-Bar decided to overrule preliminary objections raised by Gotabaya Rajapaksa and six others in connection with the D.A. Rajapaksa Museum case citing that the Permanent High Court-at-Bar has jurisdiction to hear this case.

The Attorney General had filed indictments against seven accused, former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, members of the director board of Land Reclamation and Development Corporation (LRDC) Chairman Prasad Harshan de Silva, Bhadra Udulawathi Kamaladasa, Sudammika Kheminda Artigala, Saman Kumara Abraham Galappatti, Devage Mahinda Saliya and Srimathi Mallika Kumari Senadheera under seven counts for allegedly misappropriating LRDC funds of Rs. 33.9 million.

Romesh de Silva, PC with Sugath Caldera instructed by Sanath Wijewardane appeared for Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Additional Solicitor General Priyantha Nawanna with State Counsel Udara Karunaratne appeared for the Attorney General.