Special HC to announce verdict on Litro Gas Lanka Pvt case on August 8

The Special High Court said today (Jul 9) that it would announce its verdict over the misappropriation of Rs 500 million worth funds belonging to Litro Gas Lanka Ltd on August 8.

This was announced when both parties put forward written submissions before a three-member judge bench of Justices Sampath Abeykoon, Sampath Wijeratne, and Champa Janaki Rajaratne.

Laywers representing both sides informed court that further written submissions would be made on July 12.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's chief-of-staff Gamini Senarath, former Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Managing Director Piyadasa Kudabalage, and Lasantha Bandara have been named as the accused in the petition.

Charges have been levelled against the suspects under the Public Property Act, Money Laundering Act, and the Penal code over a misappropriation case.

They have been accused of fraudulently transferring Rs 500 million belonging to Litro Gas Lanka Ltd to Helanco Hotels and Spa Pvt Ltd. These funds had intended to be sent to Canvil Holdings Pvt Ltd.

They are alleged to have purchase two land slots worth Rs 48 million in Nuwara Eliya, purchased a house worth Rs 1.89 million for fourth suspect Neil Bandara Hapuwinna, and repaying a credit card bill worth around Rs 700,000 using the misappropriated funds.

Neil Bandara Hapuhinna, a former Samurdhi Commissioner, who was also an accused, had been released by court over the case.