Delivering the ruling, the High Court judge stated that the defense’s objection which argued that the conspiracy-related charge against the accused could not be legally maintained — was without basis. The judge further noted that there was no legal impediment to proceeding with the charge against the defendant.
Following the ruling, the indictment was formally read out to Yoshitha Rajapaksa in open court. Responding from the dock, the accused pleaded not guilty to all charges. Accordingly, the trial has now commenced.
