Release me too, just like Grandma Daisy was released - Yoshitha requests

The Court of Appeal has decided to take up for hearing the revision petition filed by Mr. Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, requesting his release from the case filed in the Colombo High Court on the charge of money laundering over 800 million rupees. This permission was granted by the bench of judges comprising Justices Amal Ranaraja and Sumudu Premachandra.

The Attorney General has filed this case alleging that the relevant money was laundered by purchasing properties, including land, from the Ratmalana and Dehiwala areas over a period of three years. Lawyer Hafiz Faris, appearing for the petitioner, pointed out to the court that in the backdrop of Daisy Forest, a co-accused in this case, being acquitted by the High Court, the charge of 'conspiracy' against his client alone cannot be further pursued. He further emphasized that since it is contrary to law to level conspiracy charges against only one person when a co-accused has been acquitted, the Attorney General should withdraw this indictment.

However, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, appearing for the Attorney General, stated that Daisy Forest was acquitted from the case solely on medical grounds. He pointed out that medical reports confirmed she did not have the proper mental fitness to face a trial, and her release on this technicality does not pose any legal impediment to continuing the case against the first accused.

After considering all relevant facts, the Court of Appeal bench ordered that the hearing of these revision petitions be held on June 16. The court further ordered both parties that if the Attorney General has any objections related to this, they should be filed before June 08, and if the petitioner's side has counter-objections against them, they should be filed before June 11.