Lalith Weeeratunga, Anusha Palpita released on bail

Former President's Secretary Lalith Weeratunga and former Director General of the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) Anusha Palpita, who were convicted in the 'sil cloth' case, were released on conditional bail today by the Colombo High Court. 

Lawyers for the two men had earlier filed appeals in the Court of Appeal regarding their earlier conviction for misappropriating Rs.600 million in TRC funds to distribute sil cloths just before the last Presidential Election. The duo were released on conditional bail by High Court Judge Gihan Kulatunga pending the conclusion of their appeal. The judge ordered them to be released on a cash bail of Rs.100, 000 each and three surety bails of Rs.1 million each. They were also prohibited from traveling overseas and their passports were conficated. 

Earlier this month, Weeratunga and Palpita were each sentenced to three years Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) and fined Rs.2 million each after being convicted of misappropriating Rs.600 million in TRC funds. They were also ordered to pay the TRC a compensation of Rs.50 million each. 

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