The case filed by the Bribery Commission against Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and seven others has been postponed until February 26th, as ordered by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

When the case called before Colombo Additional Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage, the attorney representing the Bribery Commission informed the Magistrate’s Court that an interim order has been issued by the Court of Appeal to suspend the hearing until 5th December.

Accordingly, the Chief Magistrate postponed the hearing until February 26th.

The Bribery Commission had filed this case against the former Defense Secretary and eight defendants for incurring a loss of Rs 11.4 billion to the government by allegedly allowing Avant Garde Maritime Services (Pvt) Ltd to maintain a floating armory at the Galle fort.

The defendants of this case include Chairman of Avant Garde Nissanka Yapa Senadhipathi, former Additional Defense Secretary Damayanthi Jayaratne, and the former Coordinating Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, Major General Palitha Fernando.
 
Three former navy commanders Somathilaka Dissanayake, Jayanath Colombage and Jayanath Perera have also been named as defendants of the case.

Former Additional Defense Secretary Damayanthi Jayaratne has fled the country and is currently absconding the court. A defense counsel appears on her behalf at the court.