Colombo (News 1st); Lalith Weeratunga, a Former Secretary to the President & Anusha Palpital, a Former Director-General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) were acquitted and released from the charges in the Sil Cloth case, by the Court of Appeal on Thursday (18).

The Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justice Kumuduni Wickremasinghe and Justice Devika Abeyratne made this ruling taking into consideration the appeal petitions filed by Lalith Weeratunge and Anusha Palpita.

Lalith Weeratunga and Anusha Palpita were found guilty on three indictments by the Colombo High Court earlier, for using Rs. 600 Million of TRC funds to distribute Sil Cloth during the run-up to the 2015 Presidential Election.

On the 17th of September 2017, Colombo High Court Judge Gihan Kulatunga found them guilty and imposed a sentence of 03 years rigorous imprisonment, a fine of Rs. 02 Million each and a compensation of Rs. 50 Million each.

• Rs. 10 Billion – The cost for the local government election
• Sri Lanka Navy celebrates 72 years; promotions given to officers and other ranks
• UN ramps up urgent humanitarian appeal for Sri Lankans
• Unpopular decisions have to be taken – President
• UN joins Thuru Kepakaru to preserve & protect fauna and flora