Mahinda Rajapaksa’s driver Capt. Tissa Wimalasena further remanded

Tuesday, 14 November 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By T. Farook Thajudeen

Ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s driver and a former member of the Puttalam Pradeshiya Sabha who allegedly caused a loss of around Rs. 29 million to the State by operating an illegal quarry on state land in Korathota, Athurugiriya, were further remanded until 27 November by Colombo Additional Magistrate Shanima Wijebandara.

When the case was taken up yesterday, the counsel for the suspect informed Court that the suspect had filed a revision application in the High Court seeking bail. The Counsel also said that charges framed against the suspects were for money laundering and misappropriating public property which was an offence bailable only by the High Court.

The judge postponed the case for 27 November. The suspects Tissa Wimalasena, Rajapaksa’s driver, and Lal Priyantha Pieris, a former member of the Puttalam Pradeshiya Sabha, were accused of having operated a rock quarry site on land belonging to the Land Reclamation Commission by claiming that it belonged to the Maga Neguma Project.

They were arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Department (FCID) under the provisions of the Public Property Act and the Money Laundering Act.