The Colombo High Court today (14) rejected a preliminary objection filed by the defence in the case against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, ruling that a key charge in the case may proceed.
The objection was raised when the matter, filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, was taken up before High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga.
The defence had argued that the charge of conspiracy against the accused could not be sustained.
Delivering the ruling, the judge stated that the preliminary objection lacked merit and was therefore dismissed, noting that there was no legal barrier to proceeding with the charge against the accused.
Following the ruling, the charges against Yoshitha Rajapaksa were formally read out in open court.
Rajapaksa, speaking from the dock, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Subsequently, the High Court commenced the trial proceedings.
