State Minister Palitha Range Bandara acquitted of all charges

The Colombo High Court yesterday acquitted Skills Development and Vocational Training State Minister Palitha Range Bandara of all charges filed against him.

Deputy Solicitor General Bimal Ratnayake, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, told the court that a settlement had been reached between the prosecution and the defendant.

Therefore, the Deputy Solicitor General requested court to grant permission to withdraw the indictment.

The complainant in the case, a businessman named Dinesh Ratnayake, has agreed to the State’s request and therefore Colombo High Court Judge A.A.R. Heiyanthuduwa granted permission to withdraw the complaint and released Minister Bandara.

The Minister was accused of misappropriating Rs. 5.4 million from a businessman promising to hand over the licence for his luxury vehicle to the businessmen after five years.