Wimal raises objections against his corruption case

Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa through his counsel today raised objections challenging the maintainability of the corruption case filed against him by 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 to December 31, 2014.
President's Counsel Shavindra Fernando appearing for Wimal Weerawansa argued that charges filed against his client under Bribery Act cannot be maintained since his client is not a public officer but a public representative.

Additional Solicitor General Ayesha Jinasena appearing for the Bribery Commission sought a date to file objections against the preliminary objections raised by the defence.
High Court Judge fixed the case for November 28 and directed both parties to file objections on the next hearing date.

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

The Bribery Commission's  Director General alleged that the former Minister had unlawfully made 26 monitory 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 provision of the Act to be property acquired through bribery.