Yoshitha Rajapaksa money laundering case: AG to not prosecute until Court of Appeal hears challenge

Thursday, 4 June 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Attorney General told the Court of Appeal yesterday that they would not proceed in the Money Laundering trial against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, until the challenge is fully heard by the Court, after several illegalities in the process adopted in the High Court were pointed out to the Court.

Yoshitha Rajapaksa and his 98 year old grand aunt were indicted before the High Court on money laundering charges for the purchase of two properties.

Following an order in the High Court on 14 May 2026 which committed the continuation of the trial against Yoshitha Rajapaksa after it was found that his 98 year old grand aunt was unfit to plead trial. Yoshitha Rajapaksa filed a revision application to the Court of Appeal.

When the matter came up before a two judge bench presided by Amal Ranaraja and Justice Sumudu Premachandra Counsel on behalf of Yoshitha Rajapaksa told court that the entire process adopted was an illegal process and that the Attorney General could not continue with the indictment on conspiracy having first discharged the 98 year old grand aunt.

Counsel Hafeel Farisz appearing before the Court of Appeal said that the undue hurry in prosecuting the case has resulted in grave illegalities against Yoshitha Rajapaksa

Senior Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara whilst admitting that there may be procedural issues said there was no grave injustice caused

Having heard the submissions the Court of Appeal said that there is a matter to be fully looked into after which the Attorney General undertook to not proceed with the trial today (4 June) until the Court hears the matter in full.

Counsel Hafeel Farisz, with N.K. Ashokbaran, Sanjeewa Kodithuwakku, Shannon Tillekaratne and Ashwin Pragash, instructed by Sanduni Rathnayake appeared for Yoshitha Rajapaksa

Senior Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, with Oswald Gomis and Tharaka Kodagoda, appeared for the Attorney General

The matter is fixed for argument on 16 June 2026