"It was I who performed bahirawa pooja at Malwana house at request of Basil's wife!

"It was I who performed bahirawa pooja at Malwana house at request of Basil's wife!

Basil Rajapaksa was accused as having been involved in misappropriation of funds of the government by using somebody else's name in connection with the ownership of a property extending to sixteen acres in Mapitima area, Malwana, Dompe comprising of a deluxe house equipped with a swimming pool and a dairy farm too, thus creating a sensation during sometime in the past.

This case where former minister Basil Rajapaksa and Thirukumaran Nadesan were the respondents

was taken up for hearing by Gampaha High Court judge Mr. Nimal Ranaweera yesterday (22) and on that occasion Astrologer Sumanadasa Abeygoonawardena expressed details about the pooja of protection which he had provided in the process.

When deputy solicitor general of state, Mr. Thusith Mudalinge was directing prosecution, astrologer Sumanadasa Abeygoonawardena had this to say: "I am engaged in the profession as an astrologer from the year nineteen ninety six. On instructions of Mrs. Pushpa Rajapaksa, wife of former minister Basil Rajapaksa I proceeded to the land which was fifteen or sixteen acres in extent lying in Digana, Malwana in the month of February in the year 2013. Before a house was to be built there, I protected that property on that day according to Astrological procedures. I also prepared all auspicious time periods required to build a house.

Since I do not charge any money from Rajapaksa family, I did not take any money as such. On being informed by Colombo Financial Crimes Division in the month of July in year two thousand fifteen I visited the said Malwana property. I was happy to notice that a large house was erected there. I was so elated because I prepared the necessary auspicious hours to build that house". The high court judge then ordered that the case be taken for hearing once more on July 22nd.