The Colombo High Court has fixed September 22 for further trial proceedings in the case brought by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption against former minister Wimal Weerawansa, over the alleged unlawful acquisition of assets worth more than Rs. 75 million beyond his lawful income.
The case was called on Thursday before High Court Judge Mohamed Mihail, Ada Derana and Hiru News reported. After considering submissions, the judge ordered that the matter be called again on 22 September and that summons be issued requiring witnesses to attend on that date.
Four witnesses named
Hiru News reported the witness order in more detail than Ada Derana. The judge directed that prosecution witnesses numbered 21, 22, 25 and 38 appear in court for the trial, and ordered notices issued to all prosecution witnesses to secure their presence on the day. Additional Solicitor General Azard Navavi appeared for the Bribery Commission.
The allegation
CIABOC filed the case during the previous “Good Governance” administration. It alleges that Weerawansa committed an offence under the Bribery Act by acquiring assets worth more than Rs. 75 million in excess of his legitimate income between 2010 and 2014, while he was serving as a Cabinet Minister.
Weerawansa held portfolios including Housing and Construction during that period, under the Mahinda Rajapaksa government.
Not reported
Neither outlet said what stage the trial has reached, how many prosecution witnesses have already given evidence, or why the four numbered witnesses were singled out. Neither reported whether Weerawansa was present in court, nor recorded any submission from his counsel.
Context
The case is one of several long-running proceedings involving the former minister and his family. His wife, Shashi Weerawansa, was released on anticipatory bail in August pending a Supreme Court appeal in a separate matter concerning an allegedly fraudulent passport application. Weerawansa himself was accused by police in May of assaulting an officer at a War Heroes Memorial event, a matter in which a Kaduwela court later ruled that individuals could only be named as suspects where evidence exists.
