The Gampaha High Court today acquitted former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Thirukumar Nadesen from the controversial Malwana property case.

The two accused were acquitted and released by Gampaha High Court Judge Nimal Ranaweera on the ground that the prosecution failed to prove the accused’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Attorney General had filed indictments against two accused on three counts relating to a 16-acre plot of land, at Dompe in Malwana.

While ordering the release of the two accused, the High Court Judge observed that the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The High Court judge further said that Muditha Jayakody, a prosecution witness during the trial admitted the fact that he made a false statement before the FCID.

The Attorney General’s Department earlier informed Gampaha High Court that evidence in a case would not be proceeded with any further, having taken into account the evidence given by the first prosecution witness.

Deputy Solicitor General Shanil Kularatne appearing for the Attorney General had submitted to the court that evidence of the case would not proceed with any further, since the first witness of the prosecution has given evidence to the effect that he did not make a complaint to the FCID and he did not recognise the signature on the statement.

The two accused Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Thirukumar Nadesen, the spouse of former Deputy Minister Nirupama Rajapaksa, were present before the Court when the case came before Gampaha High Court Judge Nimal Ranaweera.