AG withdraws case against Basil on misappropriation on Divi Naguma funds

Wednesday, 7 December 2016 00:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Attorney General’s department yesterday withdrew the case filed against former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and former Director General of Divi Neguma Department Kithsiri Ranawaka, relating to alleged misappropriation of Divi Neguma funds, by the Colombo High Court.

High Court Judge Padmini N. Ranawaka Gunatilleka revoked all travel restrictions and bail conditions imposed against the duo pertaining to this case.

The Attorney General had filed indictments against former Minister and former Director General of Divi Neguma Department in the Colombo High Court for allegedly printing 5 million almanacs with the image of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The AG had alleged that by doing so, the accused had attempted to influence citizens to vote for presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa. The AG maintained that the act of the accused is deemed guilty for the offence of bribery, in accordance with Section 79 of the Presidential Election Act No. 15 of 1981.

Furthermore, the two accused had been charged under the Public Property Act No. 12 of 1982 to file misappropriation charges. The AG had listed 32 people as witnesses in the case.

Apart from this case, the AG had filed two other cases against former Minister Basil Rajapaksa for alleged misappropriation of Divi Neguma Funds.