The Colombo High Court today acquitted Parliamentarian M. Abdul Carder and two other suspects from charges of alleged misappropriation of Samurdi Funds. When the case was called forth at the Colombo High Courts this morning, state counselor informed the court that the original documents relating to the case have been misplaced and that they find it therefore it is difficult to continue with the case.
He told the court that they are unable to summon key witness, former Samurdi Commissioner General Dr. Kumari Navaratna, who is out of the island. The state counselor requested the court to dismiss the indictment charges. Following his observations, Colombo High Court Judge Kumudini Wickramasinghe permitted the dismissal of the indictment charges and ordered that the three suspects to be acquitted. The three persons had been charged with wrongfully handling 690 bags of rice belonging to the Samurdhi Social Development Trust Fund, thereby making the government suffer losses of Rs. one million.