First accused in Hicorp case is still at large, Sri Lankan court told

The whereabouts of former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka's son-in-law Danuna Tilakaratne, the first accused of the infamous Hicorp arms deal, is still not known, his lawyer told the court.

Attorney Asela Rekawa who appeared on behalf of Tilakaratne informed the Colombo High Court that although he had received instructions from Tilakaratne, he was unaware of the whereabouts of the accused.

Rekawa called on the Court to grant him the right of legal representation on behalf of his client.

Senior State Counsel Damith Totawatta in his submissions had informed the Court that the prosecution would not object to counsel appearing for Tilakaratne.

High Court Judge Sunil Rajapaksa had then granted permission to Rekawa to appear on behalf of the first accused in the Hicorp case.

The third suspect of the case, Fonseka is charged before the Colombo High Court for Criminal Breach of Trust under the Public Property Act while the second accused Wellington Dehoedt who pleaded guilty to his charges was sentenced to five years in jail.