Ex-Sport Minister petitions CA to transfer his case to another HC

By S.S. Selvanayagam

The Court of Appeal on Thursday issued notices on the respondents returnable for 15 May in respect of the petition filed by former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage.

The bench comprised justices Justice Kumuduni Wickremasinghe and Justice Janak de Silva.

Petitioner Aluthgamage is seeking 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 states 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 contends that he would be denied a fair trial.

President’s Counsel Faiz Musthapha, with Faiza Markar instructed by Sanath Wijewardena, appeared for Aluthgamage.