Republic Vs. Batatawala

The hearing of the case started in April 2022. The case is still at prosecution stage. ACB has
presented eight witnesses and eleven are remaining. The matter was last set down for hearing in the week of 23 to 27 January 2023. The ACB prepared to parade six witnesses but none of them testified. On 23 and 24 January 2023, the court could not sit because one of the defence counsels was bereaved. On 25 January 2023, the lawyer for Mr. Batatawala raised a number of objections to thecharges and prayed for discharges of some counts. This was dismissed by the Courts. Later on, the Defence raised an issue on the constitutionality of some of the charges and this matter was referred to the Honourable Chief Justice. The Chief Justice has since certified this as a constitutional matter and is awaiting hearing by the Constitutional Court.