Asoka Thilakaratne granted bail

Hiran SENEWIRATNE

Colombo High Court Judge Deepali Wijesundera yesterday granted bail to Asoka Thilakaratne, mother of Danuna Thilakaratne (son-in law of General Sarath Fonseka)in Rs one million cash bond and Rs 10 million personal bond.

She was charged with violating the exchange control law under the Exchange Control Act and money laundering. Senior Sate Counsel Yohan Perera who appeared for the Attorney General requested Court to keep in safe custody the Rs 75 million recovered by the CID from vaults in the Sampath Bank, Thimbirigasyaya branch and other case related products belongings to Asoka Thilakaratne, until the case is over.

CID investigations also revealed that a black Defender had also been purchased by Danuna Thilakaratne under the name of close friend from an Army auction on February 14, 2008.

General Fonseka had been the Army Commander at the time he purchased the black Defender. A special CID team is investigating to ascertain how Danuna Thilakaratne purchased the black Defender from the Army auction.

Earlier, Mount Lavinia Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Harsha Setunga granted bail in a Rs 20 million bond with four sureties to Asoka Thilakaratne, when she was produced before court by the CID in connection with the discovery of Rs 75 million.

Attorney-at-Law Saliya Pieris appeared for the accused.