A revision petition filed by Yoshitha Rajapaksa, seeking a ruling that a conspiracy charge brought against him under Sri Lanka’s anti-money laundering laws cannot proceed, is scheduled to be heard by the Court of Appeal on Tuesday (16).
The petition will be considered before a bench comprising Amal Ranaraja and Dr. Sumudu Premachandra.
During earlier proceedings, attorney Hafeel Farisz, appearing for Yoshitha Rajapaksa, argued that both his client and Daisy Forrest had originally been named as defendants in the case. However, Daisy Forrest was later discharged from the proceedings by the Attorney General.
The defense argued that if one of the alleged conspirators has been removed from the case, it would be legally improper to continue prosecuting Yoshitha Rajapaksa alone on a charge of conspiracy.
Responding on behalf of the Attorney General, Janaka Bandara submitted that a conspiracy-related charge could still be pursued against a single accused person under the law.
After considering submissions from both sides, the Court of Appeal decided to hear the revision application on June 16.
The original case was filed by the Attorney General against Yoshitha Rajapaksa and his grandmother Daisy Forrest, alleging that between March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2013, they committed offences under anti-money laundering legislation by depositing Rs. 59 million of allegedly unlawfully acquired funds as fixed deposits in three bank accounts.
Daisy Forrest was subsequently released from the case after it was determined that her health condition would not allow her to participate in the trial proceedings.
