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)

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Indictments have been served on former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, and his grand-aunt Daisy Forrest Wickramasinghe on charges filed under the Money Laundering Act.

The indictments were served before Colombo High Court Judge Pradeep Abeyratne today.

Subsequently, Yoshitha Rajapaksa and his grand-aunt Daisy Forrest Wickramasinghe were released on bail. 

The duo have been charged under the Money Laundering Act, related to a Rs. 59 million joint account belonging to them. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has responded to criticism over investigations involving an elderly woman linked to an alleged fraud case, stating that age does not exempt anyone from accountability if public funds are involved.

Speaking at a recent public rally in Galle, he stated that the authorities are focused solely on recovering the money allegedly stolen from the public. “Some are criticizing us for making inquiries from an elderly woman. I will say, she is facing this due to her fraudulent grandchildren,” he said.

“We do not care if it is a younger or older person. We are only concerned with where the money looted from the public has been concealed. If it is with their grandmother, then she will be questioned. If the entire family is involved, then they must all pay the consequences,” he asserted.

President Dissanayake further said his party is against corruption and that anyone involved, no matter their age or family connection, should be investigated by the law.

His comments come as investigations continue into financial fraud cases where suspects are believed to have hidden stolen money through their family members. 

The President was seen indirectly referring to the Criminal Investigations Department probe against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son, Yoshitha Rajapaksa and his grand-aunt Daisy Forrest Wickramasinghe. (Newswire)

“Some are criticising us for making inquiries from an elderly woman. I will say, she is facing this due to her fraudulent grandchildren. We do not care if it is a younger or older person. We are only concerned with where the money looted from the public has been concealed. If it… pic.twitter.com/y4ydJMAmWw

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) April 8, 2025

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The Colombo High Court today served indictments to Yoshitha Rajapaksa and his grand-aunt Daisy Forrest Wickramasinghe pertaining to a case filed under the Money Laundering Act.

It is reported that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son, Yoshitha Rajapaksa and his grand-aunt were granted bail on two sureties of Rs. 500,000 each.

In February, the Attorney General filed indictments against Yoshitha Rajapaksa and Forrest before the Colombo High Court under the Money Laundering Act, related to a Rs. 59 million joint account belonging to the duo. 

Previously, the Police had filed charges against both under the Money Laundering Act after investigations since 2016 found 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. The Attorney General then directed the Police to name Forrest as a suspect in the case. 

As a result, both Yoshitha Rajapaksa and Forrest were formally named as suspects in the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court in February, with charges filed under the Money Laundering Act. (Newswire)

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Daisy Forrest Wickremesinghe, who was arrested in connection with the ongoing money laundering investigation involving former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, has been granted bail.

The Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court released Daisy Forrest Wickramasinghe on three sureties of Rs.05 million each.

Daisy Forrest Wickremesinghe, the grand-aunt of Yoshitha Rajapaksa, was arrested after providing a statement to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) this morning.

Earlier in February, the Attorney General filed indictments against Yoshitha Rajapaksa and Daisy Forrest Wickramasinghe 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)

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Daisy Forrest Wickremesinghe has been arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in connection with the ongoing money laundering investigation involving former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son, Yoshitha Rajapaksa.

It is reported that Daisy Forrest Wickremesinghe, the grand-aunt of Yoshitha Rajapaksa, was arrested after providing a statement to the CID today and is expected to be produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court.

Earlier in February, the Attorney General filed indictments against Yoshitha Rajapaksa and Daisy Forrest Wickramasinghe 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)

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