Gotabaya's lawyers inform courts that he is still undergoing treatment

Colombo (News 1st): The lawyer appearing on behalf of the former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa informed the Colombo Magistrate's Court today (July 11) that his client is currently undergoing further treatment following heart surgery in Singapore. President's Counsel Ali Sabri made this statement by submitting medical reports. The Bribery Commission filed a case against eight people including former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa for allegedly causing a loss of Rs. 11.4 billion to the government for approving a floating armoury in the sea off Galle port. The case was adjourned until September 20th as the Court of Appeal had issued a restraining order preventing the trial. Another defendant in the case, Nissanka Senadhipathi, who is the chairman of Avant Garde, failed to appear in court and his lawyer has informed that his client is receiving medical treatment overseas. The chief magistrate stated in open court that the court must accept when a defendant is overseas for medical treatment and that they should appear before the court at the next hearing. Two other defendants in the case, Palitha Fernando and B. Godawela who are retired major generals, have not appeared in court today as well. Their lawyers told the court that their clients had been remanded as a result of another ongoing case.