HICORP case put off

Sarath MALALASEKERA

The HICORP case against Sarath Fonseka and his son-in-law Danuna Tillakaratne was put off for July 13 by Colombo High Court Judge Sunil Rajapaksa yesterday.

Earlier Hicorp (Pvt) Limited Director Wellington De Hoedt who pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against him in an arms deal case was sentenced to rigorous imprisonment by Colombo High Court Judge Sunil Rajapaksa. Wellington De Hoedt was the first accused in the case, the second accused is Danuna Tillakaratne, son-in-law of Sarath Fonseka the third accused is Sarath Fonseka.

The HICORP Director pleaded guilty to 12 charges preferred against him out of 21 charges. Earlier the CID conducting investigation into the alleged fraud committed by the HICORP (Pvt) Limited told Court that the CID investigations had revealed about Sarath Fonseka’s involvement in the case and he was made third suspect in the case.

Senior State Counsel Damith Totawatta who appeared with the CID for the prosecution said that the third suspect Sarath Fonseka is charged before the Colombo High Court for Criminal Breach of Trust under the Public Property Act. Senior Defence Counsel Saliya Peiris with Nilanthi Peiris appeared for the defence. The case will be called again on July 13, 2011.