Gowers Corporate Case: Court decision on Namal and 4 others on 2 November

Colombo High Court Judge Navaratne Marasinghe has set 2 Novemberas the date for his decision on whether to acquit SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa and four others in a case involving an alleged unlawful deposit of Rs. 30 million in Gowers Corporate while Rajapaksa was a lawmaker.

During the proceedings, a key prosecution witness, Rohan Irugala, admitted that his initial statements were false and had later provided genuine statements. Defense Counsel Sampath Mendis PC highlighted inconsistencies in the witness’s statements, pointing out that the witness’s mother had passed away before the alleged statements were made.

Nalin Marapana PC argued that the case was politically motivated and urged the court to acquit his clients without further submissions. The Attorney General’s representative, SDSG Dilan Ratnayake, expressed confidence in the court’s ability to make a fair decision and did not oppose the defense’s submissions. Judge Marasinghe will announce whether the defendants will be released from the case on the specified date.