Basil acquitted

The Colombo High Court today acquitted and released Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and former Director-General of Divi NegumaDepartment Kithsiri Ranawaka from the controversial almanac case. High Court Judge Damith Thotawatta made this order pursuant to a request made by defence to acquit them from the charges, on the basis that the prosecution evidence has failed to establish the commission of the offences against the accused in the case. Accordingly, the Colombo High Court ordered the release of Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and former Director-General of Divi NegumaDepartment Kithsiri Ranawaka from the almanac case, without calling for defenceevidence. In his order, the High Court judge observed that the prosecution evidence is not sufficient enough to prove the charges against the accused. The High Court Judge further maintained that prosecution evidence is prone to dismiss the charges against the accused rather than supporting the commission of offences. Meanwhile, court further issued an order revoking the travel ban imposed upon two accused in connection with the almanac case. The defence had filed an application before High Court Judge Damith Thotawatta in terms of Section 200 (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure requesting the Court to record a verdict of acquittal, on behalf of the two accused, in view of the fact that the evidence led by the prosecution totally failed to establish the commission of the offence charged against the accused in the indictment. The Attorney General had filed indictments against Minister Basil Rajapaksa and former Director-General of Divi Neguma Department Kithsiri Ranawaka in the Colombo High Court for allegedly printing 5 million almanacs with the image of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, costing Rs.29.4 million, to be used as election propaganda material, during January-2015 Presidential election. The Attorney General had alleged that by printing these almanacs between 23 November and 31 December 2014, these accused had attempted to influence citizens of this country to vote for presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa.