A request has been submitted to the Gangodawila Magistrate’s Court seeking the release of Daisy Forrest Wickremesinghe from the ongoing money laundering investigation linked to Yoshitha Rajapaksa, on the basis that she is suffering from dementia.
President’s Counsel Anil Silva, appearing for Daisy Forrest, informed the court today that the 98-year-old was suffering from memory loss or dementia and is unable to give instructions for the continuation of the case.
He further submitted medical reports to the court claiming that in 2017, the court had already ruled Daisy Forrest was incapable of managing her own property, after which it was placed under another person’s care.
However, appearing for the Attorney General’s Department, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, told the court that a special medical board should be appointed to examine Daisy Forrest’s condition, as this was the first time the issue had been raised in court.
He pointed out that in April 2016, the CID found a valuable gem collection in Forrest’s possession, and although the properties were registered under her name, the funds used to purchase them were allegedly provided by Yoshitha Rajapaksa.
The Deputy Solicitor General said, therefore, releasing her from the case could benefit another party.
He further informed the court that the CID had recorded a statement from Forrest in 2016, but that the statement had not been presented before the Magistrate’s Court or any other judicial body.
When inquired whether Forrest was suffering from this condition at the time her initial statement was recorded, the CID said she was not diagnosed with such an illness at that time.
The case has been postponed to November 26.
In February this year, the Attorney General filed indictments against Yoshitha Rajapaksa and his grand-aunt Daisy Forrest Wickremesinghe before the Colombo High Court, under the Money Laundering Act, related to a Rs. 59 million joint account belonging to the duo.
The Police had also filed charges against both under the Money Laundering Act after investigations since 2016 found Yoshitha Rajapaksa was unable to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the funds.
According to the investigation, the funds in question were placed in fixed deposits and bank accounts, including a joint account maintained with Daisy Forrest Wickremesinghe. (Newswire)