The Fort Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday (29) ordered authorities to either file charges or release former President Ranil Wickremesinghe before the next court date in a case related to the alleged misuse of public funds.
The order was issued by Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara when the case was taken up for hearing.
Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, appearing for the prosecution, told the court that investigations into the alleged misuse of Rs. 16.6 million in state funds were nearing completion and that charges would be filed before the next hearing.
The case relates to an overseas visit said to have been undertaken under the guise of an official tour, which investigators allege was in fact a private trip.
The former president Ranil Wickremesinghe did not appear in court, with his counsel, President’s Counsel Tilak Marapana, informing the court that his client was unable to attend due to ill health and submitting medical reports.
During proceedings, the prosecution said most aspects of the investigation had been completed, with only one matter pending verification. It also revealed that a statement had been recorded from the former president’s spouse as part of the inquiry.
Defence counsel argued that the visit was undertaken following an official invitation from a university and maintained that there was no misuse of public funds.
Delivering observations, the magistrate said: “The authenticity of the university document alone does not determine whether an offence has been committed”, adding that sufficient material existed to consider filing charges against the first suspect.
The court directed that investigations be expedited and a final decision be communicated at the next hearing.
The case was fixed to be called again on July 08. (Newswire)