GI pipe case

Basil, Kithsiri released

The Colombo High Court yesterday released Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and former Director General of Divi Neguma Department Kithsiri Ranawaka; they had been charges with misappropriating Divi Neguma Department funds amounting to Rs. 36.5 million to purchase GI pipes.

Colombo High Court Judge Namal Balalle made this decision after the Attorney General withdrew the indictment against the two men.

Appearing for the Attorney General, Deputy Solicitor General Asad Navavi said they wish to withdraw the indictment in accordance with section 194(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act.

Navavi told the court that Rajapaksa and Ranawaka had been acquitted and released from another Divi Neguma case which is similar to the present one. He added that the Attorney General had no intention to proceed with the indictments and thereby moved to withdraw the indictments.

The Attorney General had filed indictments against the two men in the Colombo High Court for allegedly misappropriating Divi Neguma funds to distribute GI pipes during the 2015 Presidential Election.