Lalith, Anusha Released on Bail

(Published in Daily Mirror on October 8, 2015)

By Shehan Chamika

Former Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga, and former TRC Director General Anusha Palpita had been released on a cash bail of Rs. 100,000 with three sureties of Rupees one million each by the Colombo High Court.

The court also imposed conditions on their bail. They had been remanded for alleged criminal misappropriation of Rs. 600 million belonging to the TRC (Telecommunications Regulatory Commission) somewhere between 2014 October and 2015 January 05.

The Attorney General had pressed charges against the accused for allegedly spending the amount of the TRC funds for a ‘Sil Redi’ distribution programme, contrary to TRC Act regulations.

Colombo High Court Justice Kusala Sarojani Weerawardhana has also ordered that the accused should get special authorisation to leave the country and or change their residence.

The Court also directed the accused to report before court appropriately and warned that failure to do so could result in the cancellation of bail.

Counsel Kalinga Indathissa PC appeared for Lalith Weeratunga and Anusha Palpita, while senior State Counsel Thusith Mudalige prosecuted.

Further inquiry fixed for November 09.