Famous teledrama producer Sudharma Nethicumara acquitted from defraud case

The Colombo High Court today ordered the acquittal and release of popular teledrama producer and business personality Sudharma Nethicumara from an indictment filed by the Attorney General (AG) against her for allegedly defrauding an individual with Rs. 5.5 million after deceiving that she would secure greater financial benefits. 

Judge Amal Ranaraja of the Colombo High Court issued this order in response to a request from the defense to acquit her on the grounds that the prosecution evidence failed to establish the commission of the offenses charged against her in the indictment.

According to the AG, the accused committed this offense on or around February 11, 2007 and it is a punishable offense under Section 403 of the Penal Code.  In accordance with Section 200 (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, the Colombo High Court ordered Nethicumara's acquittal and release. 

The defense filed an application before the High Court under Section 200 (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, requesting that the Court record an acquittal verdict on behalf of the accused, owing to the fact that the prosecution's evidence completely failed to establish the commission of the offense charged against the accused in the indictment.

Shashi Weerawansa, the wife of Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa, was also named as the prosecution's second witness in the case.  For the accused, President's Counsel Rienzie Arseculeratne appeared alongside counsel Namal Karunaratne and Udara Muhandiramge.