A Navy witness told the Colombo High Court on Thursday that £24,536 in government funds was paid for former Navy Lieutenant Yoshitha Rajapaksa to attend a Royal Navy Young Officers Course in Britain, according to a report in the state newspaper Dinamina.
The witness said then Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda wrote to the Defence Ministry Secretary on 19 May 2014 seeking approval for the funds.
Navy Captain Nuwan Thushara Arangala told the court Rajapaksa received Rs. 5,159,626.37 in salaries and allowances over nine years of service. His monthly gross salary was Rs. 16,390, the court heard.
Rajapaksa is accused under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act of failing to explain the source of nearly Rs. 735 million acquired between 1 August 2012 and 29 August 2013. The case is before Judge Udesh Ranatunga.
The hearing will continue on 30 October, when 11 prosecution witnesses have been told to appear.
