A sum of £24,536 had been paid using government funds for former Navy Lieutenant Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, to attend the ‘Royal Navy Young Officers Course’ at the Royal Navy Training College in Britain, it was reported.

According to the state newspaper Dinamina, the details were revealed during testimony given by a Navy representative on behalf of former Navy Commander Admiral Travis Sinniah before the Colombo High Court on Thursday (15).

The witness stated that former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda had sent a letter to the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence on May 19, 2014, requesting approval for the funds required for Yoshitha Rajapaksa to participate in the training programme.

Responding to questions raised during cross-examination, the witness explained that payments for Navy officers attending overseas training programmes are generally made in foreign currencies, including US dollars and British pounds.

The details were revealed when the money laundering case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga.

Rajapaksa faces charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act over his alleged failure to explain the source of nearly Rs. 735 million acquired between August 1, 2012, and August 29, 2013, in Rajagiriya and Bambalapitiya.

The charges also relate to allegations that funds believed to have been obtained through unlawful activities were deposited in bank accounts and fixed deposits.

Meanwhile, Navy Captain Nuwan Thushara Arangala, who testified for the prosecution, revealed that Yoshitha Rajapaksa had received a total of Rs. 5,159,626.37 in salaries and allowances during nine years of service in the Navy.

The court was informed that Rajapaksa had served as a Navy Lieutenant from December 14, 2006, until February 28, 2017, while his service had been suspended on February 28, 2016.

According to the testimony, his monthly gross salary was Rs. 16,390, in addition to allowances for food, uniforms, housing and special duties.

The witness clarified that the stated allowances did not include payments made for overseas training programmes or participation in sporting events while representing the Navy.

During the proceedings, the prosecution also submitted Yoshitha Rajapaksa’s annual declarations of assets and liabilities for the period from 2009 to 2015.

A National Savings Bank official also testified regarding fixed deposit and savings accounts maintained by Rajapaksa, stating that no withdrawals had been made from the accounts since they were opened.

The court further heard testimony concerning the appointment of a guardian for Daisy Forrest, the second defendant in the case, and matters relating to the clearance of an imported Outside Broadcasting (OB) truck associated with the CSN television channel.

Further examination of witnesses was scheduled for October 30, with the court instructing 11 prosecution witnesses to appear on that date. (Newswire)

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The Colombo High Court was informed today (15) that Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, had received approximately Rs. 5,150,626 in salaries during his period of service in the Sri Lanka Navy.

The information was revealed by a naval officer who testified before the court during the hearing of a money laundering case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The witness stated that the total amount represented salary payments made to Rajapaksa during his service in the Navy and did not include any additional allowances.

The details were presented as part of the ongoing examination of witnesses in the case before the Colombo High Court.

The trial is currently underway. (Newswire)

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The Colombo High Court today (28) ordered that the money laundering case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and his grand-aunt Daisy Forrest Wickremesinghe be taken up for a pre-trial conference on November 3.

The case, filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, was taken up before the Colombo High Court today, with Yoshitha Rajapaksa appearing before the court.

The second defendant, Daisy Forrest Wickremesinghe, was not present in court. Appearing on her behalf, her counsel submitted a medical report to the court concerning her absence.

After considering the submissions made before the court, the Judge ordered that the case be called on November 3 for the pre-trial conference.

The Attorney General has filed the case against Rajapaksa and Wickremesinghe over allegations involving nearly Rs. 57 million.

The prosecution alleges that the two defendants committed an offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by depositing nearly Rs. 57 million, alleged to have been unlawfully acquired, into three bank accounts. (Newswire)

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Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this morning (12). 

It is reported that Yoshitha Rajapaksa has reported to the CID to provide a statement regarding an ongoing investigation. (Newswire)

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The Colombo High Court has ordered former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son Yoshitha Rajapaksa and former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda to appear before court in connection with a complaint filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

The case was taken up before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today (04), where both suspects were present.

After reviewing the submissions made by the Bribery Commission, the Magistrate issued the order directing the two accused to appear before the High Court. (Newswire)

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The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has filed indictments before the Colombo High Court against Yoshitha Rajapaksa and former Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda.

According to reports, the indictments relate to several allegations, including the recruitment of Yoshitha Rajapaksa to the Sri Lanka Navy despite allegedly not meeting the required educational qualifications.

The case has been filed before the Colombo High Court by the Bribery Commission. Further details are awaited. (Newswire)

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The Colombo High Court today ordered that the case filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, be taken up again for further hearing on August 20.

The case was called before High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga, but the accused was not present in court. His counsel, President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis, informed the court that his client was unwell and requested another date for proceedings.

After considering submissions, the judge fixed the next hearing for August 20 and instructed witnesses, including Navy officers, who were present in court today, to appear again to give evidence.

The Attorney General has filed charges alleging that Yoshitha Rajapaksa unlawfully acquired five plots of land in Dehiwala and Ratmalana valued at over Rs. 73 million, thereby committing an offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. (Newswire)

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The Attorney General’s Department today opposed a request made by lawyers for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son Yoshitha Rajapaksa seeking an order to prevent the hearing of a money laundering case filed against him in the Colombo High Court. 

The objection was raised before the Supreme Court when Yoshitha Rajapaksa’s appeal was taken up for consideration. 

Appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara strongly opposed the request, arguing against halting proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. (Newswire)

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The case filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son Yoshitha Rajapaksa was taken up again today (17) before the Colombo High Court.

The hearing was conducted before High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga. Under the direction of Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, evidence was recorded from prosecution witnesses.

Appearing for Yoshitha Rajapaksa was President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis, who also crossexamined the witnesses.

Following the proceedings, the court ordered that further examination of evidence be postponed until July 24.

The Attorney General has filed charges alleging that Yoshitha Rajapaksa committed an offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by purchasing five plots of land in Dehiwala and Ratmalana valued at over Rs. 73 million. (Newswire)

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Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption this morning (17). 

It is reported that Rajapaksa has appeared before the Bribery Commission in connection with an ongoing inquiry.

Reports state that he had been scheduled to present himself yesterday but informed the Commission by letter that he was unable to attend due to a court case. (Newswire)

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The Court of Appeal has concluded hearings on a petition filed by Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, seeking to dismiss the “conspiracy” charge brought against him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. 

The court announced that its order will be delivered on July 3.

The petition was argued by Attorney Hafiel Faris on behalf of Rajapaksa, while Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara represented the Attorney General

The bench, comprising Justices Amal Ranaraja and Dr. Sumudu Premachandra, heard submissions from both sides before closing proceedings. 

The petition challenges the maintainability of the conspiracy charge in the case filed by the Attorney General, with Rajapaksa’s legal team insisting the allegation cannot be sustained under the law. (Newswire)

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The Colombo High Court has fixed for July 16 the hearing of a money laundering case filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son Yoshitha Rajapaksa and his grand‑aunt Daisy Forrest.

The case was taken up before High Court Judge Rashmi Singappuli today (10).

The accused Yoshitha Rajapaksa and Daisy Forrest had appeared for the court proceedings. (Newswire)

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The Colombo High Court has ordered the postponement of the case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, until July 9.

The case was taken up before High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga today (04). 

Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara informed the court that a revision petition filed by the respondent was called before the Court of Appeal yesterday (03), which fixed the matter for hearing on June 16.

He noted that until then, the complainant had notified the Court of Appeal that evidence in the High Court case would not be led, and requested that proceedings be adjourned without calling witnesses.

Granting the request, the High Court postponed the case until July 9 and directed witnesses to appear on that date.

The Attorney General has filed charges against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, alleging that he unlawfully acquired five plots of land valued at over Rs. 73 million, thereby committing an offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. (Newswire)

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A two‑judge bench of the Court of Appeal today issued formal notice on the Attorney General, and the Attorney General informed the court that they would not prosecute the money laundering trial against Yoshitha Rajapaksa until the matter before the Court of Appeal is fully determined.

Rajapaksa challenged a High Court order that allowed the prosecution to continue a conspiracy case against him despite the Attorney General discharging his 98‑year‑old grand aunt, Daisy Forrest, as unfit to stand trial. 

Counsel argued that continuing proceedings against Rajapaksa while discharging Forrest amounted to a violation of the law and risked a grave miscarriage of justice.

The Court of Appeal, presided over by Justice Amal Ranaraja, noted that there was an issue requiring examination. 

Following this, the Attorney General informed the court that the trial would be paused until the appeal is heard in full.

Counsel Hafeel Farisz, with NK Ashokbaran, Sanjeewa Kodithuwakku, Shannon Tillekeratne, and Ashwin Pragash instructed by Sanduni Rathnayake, appeared for Rajapaksa. 

Senior Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, with Oswil Gomis and Tharaka Kodagoda, represented the Attorney General.

The matter is scheduled to be taken up on June 16, 2026. (Newswire)

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Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, declared from the dock today that he was not guilty of charges filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, as his trial formally commenced at the Colombo High Court.

High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga earlier rejected a preliminary objection raised by the defence, which argued that the conspiracy charge could not be maintained. 

The judge ruled the objection was without basis, clearing the way for the indictment to proceed.

Following the ruling, the indictment was read out in open court, after which Rajapaksa entered his plea of not guilty.

The case, which involves allegations of money laundering, will now move forward with hearings under the High Court’s jurisdiction. (Newswire)

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The Colombo High Court has ordered that the case filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and his grand‑aunt Daisy Forrest Wickramasinghe be recalled on June 10.

The case was taken up today (24) before High Court Judge Rashmi Singappuli.

According to reports, at the hearing, the state counsel informed the court that another related case had been filed before High Court No. 08 concerning the same charges.

The state counsel further stated that a revised indictment has been ordered to be filed in that case, and accordingly, a revised indictment will also have to be filed in this case. The state counsel requested that the court grant a date to report on the progress of those proceedings.

Accordingly, the High Court Judge ordered the case to be recalled on June 10, directing that the progress of those proceedings be reported on that date.

The case relates to three indictments filed by the Attorney General, alleging that between March 31, 2009 and December 12, 2013, the accused committed an offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by depositing in three private banks a sum exceeding Rs. 59 million, the source of which could not be explained. (Newswire)

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The Attorney General has informed the Colombo High Court that Daisy Forrest, the grand-aunt of Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, is scheduled to be examined tomorrow (11) by the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer to determine whether she is in a suitable mental condition to stand trial.

This announcement was made by Deputy Solicitor General Oswald Perera when the case filed against her under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Rashmi Singappuli.

The case was called today to consider the proposed admissions.

However, Deputy Solicitor General Oswald Perera informed the Court that another case connected to this matter is being heard before High Court No. 8 against the accused.

During the hearing of that case, Daisy Forrest’s counsel had informed the Court that she was not in a suitable mental state to face trial, the Deputy Solicitor General stated.

Deputy Solicitor General Oswald Perera said accordingly, to determine whether the accused is in a suitable mental condition to face trial, the Court ordered a specialist medical report from the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer.

He further stated that, under this Court order, the accused is scheduled to appear tomorrow for the relevant examination.

The Deputy Solicitor General also informed the Court that once the medical report is submitted, the issue of whether the accused is in a suitable mental condition to stand trial will be considered.

Therefore, he requested the Court to postpone the case until the medical report is received.

After considering the submissions, the Judge ordered that the case be recalled on February 9.

The Attorney General has filed this case against Daisy Forrest and Yoshitha Rajapaksa, alleging that between March 31, 2009 and December 12, 2013, they committed an offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by depositing more than Rs. 59 million of unlawfully earned money into three fixed deposit accounts. (Newswire)

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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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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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