High Court to hear oral submissions on the preliminary objections raised in the Weerawanas case.

The Colombo High Court today fixed June 16 to hear oral submissions regarding the preliminary objections raised by Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa challenging the maintainability of the corruption case filed against him by the Bribery Commission.

The Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption had filed indictments against Wimal Weerawansa for the alleged unlawful acquisition of money and assets, estimated at Rs. 75 million, within a period of six years while serving as a Minister between 2009 and 2015. The Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption alleged that the former Minister had committed this offence by way of undeclared assets between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2014.

Additional Solicitor General Ayesha Jinasena, appearing for the Attorney General, highlighted the importance of expediting the trial against the accused since it has been dragged out for several years.

The defense alleged that charges filed against Wimal Weerawansa under the Bribery Act cannot be maintained since he is not a public officer but a public representative.

Both the defense and prosecution filed their written submissions regarding the preliminary objections.

The indictments were filed against the former minister under 39 incidents based on monetary and property transactions estimated at Rs. 75 million.

The Bribery Commission's Director General alleged that the former Minister had unlawfully made 26 monetary transactions, constructed a house, and purchased lands and vehicles in contravention of Section 23(a) of the Bribery Act.

The Bribery Commission's Director General further alleged that Weerawansa had owned these properties, deemed under the provisions of the Act to be property acquired through bribery.