Sri Lankan national Kankanige Anura Piyaratana Alwis, aged 62 has pleaded guilty to Laundering about $83,000, equivalent to K85 million.

He pleaded guilty when he appeared before Chief Resident Magistrate Madalitso Chimwaza on Wednesday.

However, Lawyer for the accused Wesley Namisala told the court that his client has refunded the money to thr government of Malawi and has since entered a plea bargaining deal with the state.

Speaking in an interview after the court appearance, Senior State advocate Mathews Chione said the accused was charged with cases bordering on foreign currency without authorization of the Minister and money laundering among others.

“The accused has shown remorse by paying back some of the money amounting to over $83,000, being a first time offender and he has pleaded guilty hence the state has requested for a non-custodial sentence,” said Chione

Kankanige Anura Piyaratana Alwis and Lin Huixin were both charged with dealing in foreign currency of about US$310,000, contrary to section 3 (1) of the Exchange Control Act, as read with Section 10 (1) (c) of the Exchange Control Regulations.

The Chief Resident Magistrate Madalitso Chimwaza has since adjourned sentencing of the Sri Lankan national to a later date.

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