Colombo HC terminates case against Lalith and Anusha

The Colombo High Court today terminated case proceedings against former Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunge and former Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) Director General Anusha Palpita in connection with the controversial Sil Redi distribution case. Colombo High Court Judge Damith Thotawatta read out the judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal dated November 19, 2020, and announced that the Court of Appeal has ordered to acquit the two accused from the case. The High Court judge announced that the Court of Appeal has ordered to set aside the conviction and the sentences imposed against both accused in respect of all three charges in the indictment. The High Court also ordered to revoke travel ban imposed against them On September 7, 2017, former Secretary to President Lalith Weeratunga and former TRC Director General Anusha Palpita were found guilty of misappropriating Rs. 600 million of funds belonging to TRC over the distribution of Controversial Sil Redi (fabrics used by devotees to observe sill) Consequently, they had been sentenced to three-year-rigorous imprisonment by Colombo High Court.