September 09, Colombo (LNW): Judicial proceedings involving former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and several members of his family have taken a new turn, as the Colombo Chief Magistrate officially brought an end to the preliminary hearings in the Magistrate’s Court following the filing of indictments at the Colombo High Court.
At a hearing held earlier today (09), Chief Magistrate Asanka S. Bodaragama instructed that the proceedings previously underway at the lower court be discontinued, now that formal charges have been filed at the High Court level under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The order came after representatives from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) informed the Magistrate that indictments had been submitted against the former minister and his family in connection with a major investigation into alleged unlawful enrichment.
The court was told that the transfer of jurisdiction to the High Court was in keeping with legal procedure once indictments are formally lodged.
Accordingly, the Magistrate instructed all defendants to appear before the Colombo High Court as required on the forthcoming trial dates.
Rambukwella, who formerly held the Health portfolio, appeared in court today alongside his wife, three daughters, and son-in-law—all of whom have been named in the case. The family had earlier been arrested by CIABOC in relation to allegations of acquiring assets through illicit means amounting to over Rs. 97 million.
