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D. A. Rajapaksa memorial and museum case

Last verified 11 September 2026
Gotabaya Rajapaksa
Gotabaya RajapaksaCASE DISMISSED

Current status of the D. A. Rajapaksa memorial and museum case

CASE DISMISSED

Prosecutors alleged that Rs. 33.9 million in state resources was misappropriated for construction of the D. A. Rajapaksa memorial and museum at Medamulana. Rajapaksa and six others were indicted before the Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar in Aug 2018. After he became President in Nov 2019, the Attorney General released him from the indictment citing presidential immunity under Article 35 of the Constitution; the Court lifted his travel ban and ordered his passport released. Contemporary reports described the outcome as an acquittal, but the operative basis was presidential immunity, not a trial verdict on the evidence.

What’s happened

Concluded as to Rajapaksa on 21 Nov 2019 on immunity grounds, not a merits acquittal after a completed trial. Remaining co-accused were released later after the prosecution's position changed; their outcomes do not retroactively create a merits judgment for or against Rajapaksa.

Court
Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar
Next hearing / due
No upcoming hearing announced
Sources (4)

D. A. Rajapaksa memorial and museum case timeline

  1. 21 November 2019

    Discharged

    The Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar released Rajapaksa from all indictments in the case after he became President, citing presidential immunity under Article 35; his travel ban was lifted and his passport ordered released.

    Court: Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar

    Sources (2)
  2. 24 August 2018

    Indicted

    The Attorney General filed an indictment against Rajapaksa and six others over the D. A. Rajapaksa memorial and museum construction.

    Court: Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar

    Sources (1)