SC orders two cases against former Deputy Minister to be heard

• First case filed from PRECIFAC report 
• Against misappropriation of Rs. 10 m to hold MR’s final rally before 2015 Presidential Election
• Case to be heard on 27 Sept. and 3 Oct. 

By Manopriya Gunasekera 

The Supreme Court yesterday decided to start hearings into two complaints against former Fisheries Deputy Minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratne, for allegedly misappropriating over Rs. 10 million in public funds during the last presidential campaign. 

Gunaratne is accused of using Treasury funds worth over Rs. 10 million, released to develop the Negombo fisheries harbour, to instead hold Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa’s final presidential campaign rally in Negombo. The two complaints will be taken up for hearing on 27 September and 3 October, the Supreme Court decided. 

The decision was made by Supreme Court Justices Pradeep Hettiarachchi and Shashi Mahendran. 

The charges were filed by the Criminal Investigation Department on Gunaratne and six other suspects. This is the first case to be filed under the report compiled by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate and inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC), appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena.