Travel ban on Nalaka Godahewa lifted temporarily.

The Colombo High Court today lifted the travel ban imposed, against State Minister Nalaka Godahewa, temporarily until August 31. The Attorney General indicted former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nalaka Godahewa and two others, in connection with their alleged involvement in conspiracy and misappropriation of Rs. 5 million of funds belonging to SEC. The High Court temporarily lifted the travel ban when the case came up before High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja. The further trial of the case fixed for 31st of August. The accused are facing charges on three counts, which come under Public Property Act. The Attorney General further alleged that the three accused committed this offence between 6 August and 18 August 2013.   The Attorney General maintained that the accused, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) former Chairman Nalaka Godahewa, SEC former Deputy Director General Dhammika Manjira Perera and Tharunyata Hetak Organisation sports director Ronnie Ibrahim, allegedly conspired to misappropriate a sum of Rs. 5 million of funds which were granted as a sponsor to the Tharunyata Hetak Organisation (A tomorrow for youth) by the SEC and the money in question transferred to a bank account belonging to Ceylon Premium Sports Limited to promote rugby in contrary to the decision of SEC.   The third accused, Ronnie Ibrahim, charged for aiding and abetting to commit this offence.