CA orders to transfer ex-Minister Mahindananda’s case to another HC

By S. S. Selvanayagam

The Court of Appeal yesterday issued order to transfer the case against former Sports Minister and Parliamentarian, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, to another High Court of competent jurisdiction.

The Bench comprised Justices Kumuduni Wickremasinghe and S. Thurairaja.

Petitioner Aluthgamage, in his revision application, sought an order from the Court to transfer the case filed against him in the Colombo High Court, presided over by High Court Judge Gihan Kulatunga, to any other Court of competent jurisdiction.

The Attorney General had filed indictments in the High Court against Aluthgamage, for the alleged offence of purchasing a house worth Rs. 27 million at Kynsey Road, Colombo 7, on a complaint that he had allegedly purchased this property through illegally acquired money.

In his petition, Aluthgamage stated that High Court Judge Gihan Kulatunga was a member of the Presidential Commission (PRECIFAC), which initiated an inquiry against members of the former regime, and contended that he would be denied a fair trial. President’s Counsel Faiz Musthapha with Faiza Markar and Keerthi Thilakarathne, instructed by Sanath Wijewardena, appeared for the Petitioner Aluthgamage. Senior State Counsel Janaka Bandara appeared for the Attorney General.