A sum of £24,536 had been paid using government funds for former Navy Lieutenant Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, to attend the ‘Royal Navy Young Officers Course’ at the Royal Navy Training College in Britain, it was reported.
According to the state newspaper Dinamina, the details were revealed during testimony given by a Navy representative on behalf of former Navy Commander Admiral Travis Sinniah before the Colombo High Court on Thursday (15).
The witness stated that former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda had sent a letter to the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence on May 19, 2014, requesting approval for the funds required for Yoshitha Rajapaksa to participate in the training programme.
Responding to questions raised during cross-examination, the witness explained that payments for Navy officers attending overseas training programmes are generally made in foreign currencies, including US dollars and British pounds.
The details were revealed when the money laundering case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga.
Rajapaksa faces charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act over his alleged failure to explain the source of nearly Rs. 735 million acquired between August 1, 2012, and August 29, 2013, in Rajagiriya and Bambalapitiya.
The charges also relate to allegations that funds believed to have been obtained through unlawful activities were deposited in bank accounts and fixed deposits.
Meanwhile, Navy Captain Nuwan Thushara Arangala, who testified for the prosecution, revealed that Yoshitha Rajapaksa had received a total of Rs. 5,159,626.37 in salaries and allowances during nine years of service in the Navy.
The court was informed that Rajapaksa had served as a Navy Lieutenant from December 14, 2006, until February 28, 2017, while his service had been suspended on February 28, 2016.
According to the testimony, his monthly gross salary was Rs. 16,390, in addition to allowances for food, uniforms, housing and special duties.
The witness clarified that the stated allowances did not include payments made for overseas training programmes or participation in sporting events while representing the Navy.
During the proceedings, the prosecution also submitted Yoshitha Rajapaksa’s annual declarations of assets and liabilities for the period from 2009 to 2015.
A National Savings Bank official also testified regarding fixed deposit and savings accounts maintained by Rajapaksa, stating that no withdrawals had been made from the accounts since they were opened.
The court further heard testimony concerning the appointment of a guardian for Daisy Forrest, the second defendant in the case, and matters relating to the clearance of an imported Outside Broadcasting (OB) truck associated with the CSN television channel.
Further examination of witnesses was scheduled for October 30, with the court instructing 11 prosecution witnesses to appear on that date. (Newswire)
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