Former Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage was yesterday (30) acquitted and released from the case for allegedly purchasing a house worth Rs.27 million at Kynsey Road by the Colombo High Court.
Following a lengthy trial Colombo High Court Judge Navaratne Marasinghe observed that the prosecution was unable to prove the allegations against the accused beyond reasonable doubt.
Delivering the judgement, the Colombo High Court Judge observed that according to the evidence transpired during the trial, there is no sufficient evidence produced by the prosecution to prove the allegations against the accused.
The judgement further pointed out that the accused had proved the way he had earned the funds during the period of the purchasing the alleged house and the prosecution failed to prove the funds used to purchase the house were illegally obtained by the accused.
Taking facts into consideration the Colombo High Court acquitted and released the accused from the case.
The Attorney General had filed indictments against former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage alleging that he had purchased a house at Kynsey Road, Colombo 7 from an individual named Christopher Roshan for Rs.27 million.
The Attorney General alleged that the accused had failed to disclose how he was able to raise the money for the purchase of the house and further alleged that he had committed an offence under section 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The former Minister stands accused of financial irregularities in a complaint lodged against him by the convener of the Voice against Corruption Wasantha Samarasinghe.
(Daily News)
