The Colombo High Court yesterday (14) rejected a preliminary objection raised by the defence in a case filed against the son of former President and attorney Mahinda Rajapaksa, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, thereby allowing the trial to proceed. The ruling was delivered by Judge Udesh Ranatunga. 

Delivering the order, the Judge stated that the preliminary objection raised by the defence, claiming that the conspiracy charge against the defendant could not be maintained, is without basis. Accordingly, the Court rejected the objection and held that there is no impediment to proceeding with the relevant charge against the defendant. 

Following the ruling, the indictment was read out to the defendant Yoshitha Rajapaksa in open Court. Appearing from the dock, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him. Following the plea, the trial officially commenced before the Court.