The Colombo High Court has postponed proceedings in a case involving former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa and two others, who are accused of unlawfully obtaining Rs. 8.85 million in compensation through alleged misuse of official influence.
The Colombo High Court has scheduled the case against former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa and two co-accused for further hearing on September 28. Judge Raveendra Premaratne presided over proceedings on Tuesday, during which all three defendants appeared before the court.
The case centres on allegations that compensation totalling Rs. 8.85 million was improperly obtained by exerting influence over officials at the Office for Reparations. According to the prosecution, the funds were claimed following the demolition of a structure and other property that had been unlawfully constructed on land owned by the Mahaweli Authority in Sevanagala. The alleged incidents occurred between late November 2023 and May 2024.
The defendants include Rajapaksa, former Acting Director General of the Office for Reparations Sepalika Saman Kumari, and Keerthi Bandara Kotagama. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption filed the indictment in June under the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023. A total of 10 charges have been levelled against the accused.
The prosecution has indicated it intends to present evidence through approximately 30 witnesses and 38 documentary exhibits during the trial process. The next scheduled court date will determine the pace of proceedings as the case advances.
