The Permanent High Court at Bar today (23) ordered daily hearing in the case against the former President’s Chief of Staff Gamini Senarath and three others, from November 07.

The daily hearing of the case was scheduled to commence on October 30, however, the defense counsels have informed the court that they have not yet received the documents relevant to the case.

Accordingly, the High Court Trial-at-Bar consisting of Justices Sampath Abeykoon, Sampath Wijeratne and Champa Janaki Rajaratne ordered to commence the daily hearings of the case on November 07.

However, Deputy Solicitor General Thusith Mudalige stated that most of the relevant documents sought by the defense have already been handed over.

Representing the defendant Gamini Senarath, President’s Counsel Ali Sabry informed the court that he wishes to submit a preliminary objection claiming that the Permanent High Court at Bar does not have the authority to hear the case.

The Trial-at-Bar then ordered to present submissions regarding the preliminary objection on October 30.

Representing the second defendant of the case Piyadasa Kudabalage, President’s Counsel Gamini Marapana informed the court that the Helanko Hotels & Spa, in which the defendants are said to have invested Rs 500 million by misappropriating state funds, is not a company affiliated with the defendants but with Sri Lanka Insurance.

Stating that a considerable number of documents are required to prove the innocence of the defendants, President’s Counsel said that the defense wishes to conclude the hearing of the case at the earliest possible.

Without the relevant documents, commencing the hearing of the case is inconvenient, he further stated.
Hence, the court informed the relevant public institutions related to the case to hand over the documents sought by the defense without delay.

The Attorney General had filed the case against the defendants under the Public Property Act for allegedly misappropriating Rs 500 million funds belonging to Litro Gas Lanka by investing in ventures including the Helanko Hotels & Spa hotel project, from 1st of February 2014 to 20th January 2015.