The Attorney General yesterday (10) told the Colombo High Court that Daisy Forrest, great-aunt of Yoshitha Rajapaksa and defendant in a money-laundering case, was to undergo a psychiatric evaluation by the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer on Thursday (11).

State Counsel Oswald Perera conveyed the update when the matter was taken up before High Court Judge Rashmi Singappuli.

Perera noted that a related trial against the accused was currently underway before the Colombo High Court No. 08. During those proceedings, counsel for Forrest claimed she was not mentally fit to stand trial, prompting the court to order a specialist medical report through the JMO.

The State Counsel confirmed that Forrest was expected to under go the evaluation, in line with the court directive. He said the prosecution would determine her fitness to stand trial after reviewing the report, and requested that the case be postponed until then.

Judge Singappuli ordered the case to be recalled on 09 February, 2026.

The Attorney General informed the court that the defendants had violated the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by depositing more than Rs. 59 million, purportedly earned unlawfully between March 2009 and December 2013, in three accounts.

By A.J.A. Abeynayake

The ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ initiative, launched to help the country recover from the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, has so far received Rs. 1,893 million in contributions from domestic donors, overseas Sri Lankans and a range of institutions, according to Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma.

Dr. Suriyapperuma said the Insurance Regulatory Commission, together with the heads of all insurance firms, had met recently to hammer out a compensation framework for cyclone-hit businesses and properties.

Dr. Suriyapperuma said that the insurers mentioned they had already rolled out fast-track payout systems for affected homes, businesses and families. Immediate payments for minor property damage are under way, while compensation for major losses will follow once required assessments are completed. However, insurers have agreed to release part-payments upfront, even before full evaluations are finalised, he added.

Former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal and three others were yesterday acquitted in a high-profile case over the Central Bank’s purchase of Greek bonds, after the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) withdrew the charges against them.

Colombo High Court Judge Mohamed CIABOC had earlier alleged that the officials, despite Greece being mired in a deep economic crisis, knowingly proceeded with the 2011 purchase of Greek treasury bills, causing losses exceeding Rs. 184 million to the government.

Defence counsel told court that the Supreme Court had already held the transaction to be lawful and carried out in line with Central Bank regulations and financial reporting standards. They argued that CIABOC’s attempt to pursue the matter as a corruption case for a second time was unwarranted.

With the indictment withdrawn, the High Court formally cleared Cabraal and the three co-accused of all charges.

By A.J.A. Abeynayake