High Court Acquits Former FCCISL Secretary General in Breach of Trust Case ⚖️

• Legal Outcome: The High Court of Colombo has acquitted Samantha Abeywickrama, former Secretary General of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL), of all criminal charges. • Case Background: The proceedings, filed under the Penal Code, involved allegations of misappropriating approximately Rs. 2.46 million in funds allocated for an ADB workshop in Bangkok back in 2007. • Court Ruling: • The prosecution failed to prove "criminal breach of trust" or "dishonest misappropriation." • No evidence was found regarding fraudulent intent or personal conversion of funds. • The judge emphasized that criminal liability requires proof beyond reasonable doubt, which was not met in this instance. • Significance: This acquittal concludes a legal battle spanning nearly two decades. Abeywickrama, who also served as CEO of the FCCISL, maintained that all financial actions followed institutional approvals and audit processes. This decision restores his legal standing within the private sector and chamber community. _Note: Based on High Court judgment delivered February 2026._