Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa and former Director General of Divi Neguma Department Kithsiri Ranawake failed to appear at the Colombo High Court today for the trial on printing almanacs during the 2015 Presidential Election campaign and incurring a loss of Rs. 29 million to the state.

Their lawyers told court that they were not able to attend as they were in remand custody over a different case.

The court directed that they be brought to court for the next day of trial on December 6, even if they are in remand custody.

Rajapaksa and Ranawaka were indicted on December 15, 2015, on six counts, covering alleged offenses under the Presidential Elections Act and the Penal Code.

Accordingly, they have been accused of engaging in an an act of bribery under the Presidential Elections Act, by distributing almanacs with the image of the then President Mahinda Rajapaksa.