Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, through a lawyer, today claimed the sum of Rs. 17.85 million recovered from the president’s house on July 9, 2022.
Attorney-at-Law Harigupta Rohanadeera, appearing on behalf of the former president, made an application for the release of money to his client since nobody has come forward to claim the recovered money.
Meanwhile, in their further report, the CID said they had recorded a statement from former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on February 6 regarding ongoing investigations into the sum of Rs. 17.8 million recovered by protesters inside the President’s House. The former President has stated that money found inside the President’s Office belonged to him but he was unable to take care of them due to the prevailing security situation on that occasion. He has told the police that the sum of money that belonged to him was to be distributed among the people whose houses were destroyed by the protesters.
Attorney-at-Law Harigupta Rohanadeera made an application to release the concerned money in terms of Section 431 of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act since his client is claiming the recovered items.
However, Defence Counsel Rienzie Arsekularatne PC with Maithri Gunaratne raised objections to releasing said amount to the former President and said police have to ascertain whether there are offences committed under Money Laundering Act and Bribery Act.
Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage rejected the application, citing that police have yet to conclude the investigations.
