The Colombo High Court has rescheduled hearings in the money laundering case against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, after his legal representative requested an adjournment due to personal circumstances.

The Colombo High Court has deferred proceedings in the money laundering case against Yoshitha Rajapaksa to September 10, following a request from his defence team. Judge Udesh Ranatunga made the order during today's hearing after President's Counsel Sampath Mendis, who represents Rajapaksa, was unable to attend due to a family bereavement.

A junior counsel appearing for Mendis informed the court that the accused was simultaneously appearing in another matter before a different high court bench, and that Mendis' mother-in-law had recently passed away. The defence sought an adjournment on these grounds. The Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, representing the Attorney General's office, confirmed that the prosecution had been previously notified of Mendis' unavailability and raised no objection to rescheduling the hearing.

The charges against Rajapaksa relate to allegations that he unlawfully acquired five land parcels in the Dehiwala and Ratmalana areas valued at over Rs. 73 million, in violation of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Judge Ranatunga directed all witnesses previously scheduled to testify at today's hearing to appear on the resumed date in September. The Criminal Investigation Department has been instructed to notify witnesses of the new hearing date.