Case against Premadasa's son-in-law

COLOMBO, MAY 4. The former Sri Lankan President, Mr. Ranasinghe Premadasa's son-in- law has been formally charged before a trial court for allegedly misappropriating a famous painting that belonged to the presidential house.

Fixing the trial of Mr. Rohan Jayakody, the late President's son- in-law for November 6, the Colombo High Court Judge, Mr. Eric Basnayake, granted him bail on a surety of Rs.100,000 yesterday.

The Attorney General had sought the indictment against Mr. Jayakody for alleged misappropriation and misuse of an artefact placed in the presidential house.

The alleged misappropriation extended for more than eight years from April 1989 to June 1997. The work of art in question, ``The temple of Mulkirigala in south Ceylon'', is a painting by William Daniel. Twenty witnesses, including the presidential house caretaker and a London businessman who bought the painting from Mr. Jayakody, have been listed to depose in the case.

- PTI

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Previous : OAU to reincarnate itself