COLOMBO : The order regarding the preliminary objections raised by the defence stating that the charges cannot be pursued further against the accused over the case filed against former Minister Wimal Weerawansa in connection with the unlawful acquisition of money and assets worth Rs.75 million will be delivered on Wednesday.Dec.13
When the case was taken up on Tuesday before Colombo High Court (CHC) Judge Navaratne Marasinghe, President’s Counsel Shavendra Fernando appearing for the accused informed the Court that his client Wimal Weerawansa was unable to appear before the Court as he was ill.
Considering the facts, CHC Judge ordered to issue the notice against the accused to appear before the Court today and also ordered to produce a medical report regarding the health condition of the accused.
The case was fixed for Wednesday to deliver its order regarding the preliminary objection, by the CHC.
In this case, the Bribery Commission Director General had filed indictments against Wimal Weerawansa for the alleged unlawful acquisition of money and assets, estimated at Rs. 75 million, within a period of six years, while serving as a Minister, during the former Mahinda Rajapaksa regime.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) Director General alleged that the Minister had committed this offence by way of undeclared assets between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2014.The indictments were filed under 39 incidents based on monetary and property transactions estimated at Rs.75 million.
The Director General alleged that the Minister had unlawfully made 26 monetary transactions, constructed a house, and purchased lands and vehicles in contravention of Section 23(a) of the Bribery Act.
The Bribery Commission’s Director General further alleged that former Minister Weerawansa had owned these properties deemed under the provision of the Act to be property acquired through bribery.
