Yoshitha Case Delayed:Court Awaits Appeal Decision

COLOMBO (News 1st); Proceedings in the high-profile money laundering case against Yoshitha Rajapaksa have been temporarily halted, with Colombo High Court informed that the examination of evidence will not proceed until a decision is delivered on a revision petition filed before the Court of Appeal.

The case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga, where Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara informed court that the prosecution had already notified the Court of Appeal of its intention to suspend evidence proceedings pending the outcome of the revision application. 

The petition, which was taken up before the Court of Appeal on Wednesday (3), has been scheduled for hearing on June 16.

In light of this development, the Deputy Solicitor General requested that the High Court case be postponed without calling witnesses, a request that was accepted by the court. 

The case was accordingly adjourned until July 9, with instructions issued for witnesses to appear on the next hearing date.

It was also revealed that summons had been issued to a currently serving High Court Judge, who is a former District Court Judge, to appear as a witness in the case. 

However, the Deputy Solicitor General informed court that the Court of Appeal has since issued an interim order preventing further action based on that summons.

He clarified that the prosecution had not intended to challenge or question any judicial order, but had sought to call the relevant witness only to clarify procedural aspects connected to earlier legal decisions.

According to the prosecution, if complications arise regarding the appearance of the summoned judicial officer, alternative steps may be taken, including recording evidence through the Registrar of the relevant court.

The case filed by the Attorney General alleges that Yoshitha Rajapaksa committed an offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by unlawfully acquiring five land properties valued at over Rs. 73 million.