Law & Order
Dilshan Tharaka
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The open warrant was yesterday issued against prosecution witness Sarath Kumara by the Colombo High Court over the case filed against two accused including former Minister Rajitha Senaratne in connection with the controversial White van press conference. When the case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Damith Thotawatta, the first prosecution witness in the case did not appear before Court.
Counsel who appeared for the witness informed the Court that due to security reasons, his client was unable to appear before the Court.
After considering the facts, the Colombo High Court Judge raised a question and asked from the witness’s Counsel, what kind of protection the witness expected to appear before Court. The Colombo High Court Judge also pointed out that if security is required, the police or the court should be informed and obtained.
The judge declared that the Court could not be satisfied with the facts presented as the witness’s lawyer did not give a clear answer for the relevant question and issued a warrant to arrest the witness and bring him to court.
The Colombo High Court Judge also pointed out to the State Counsel who appeared on behalf of the Attorney General that there is no point in continuing this case without the witness and asked him to look into the possibility of continuing this case without the first witness.
The case will be taken up again on September 01.
The Attorney General filed indictments comprising 14 charges of conspiracy and aiding and abetting under sections 190, 169 (G) of the Penal Code and Section 80 of the Presidential Election Act against Minister Rajitha Senaratne and former chairman of the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation Mohammad Rumi in the Colombo High Court in connection with the controversial White Van Press Conference.
Sakalavalli Arachchige Sarath Kumara and Watareka Gamage Athula Sanjeewa Madanayake who were named as the first and second suspects in the case before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court have been released from the charges and they were named as prosecution witnesses in the indictment.
Minister Rajitha Senaratne was arrested in connection with organising the white van press conference on November 10 ahead of the Presidential election 2019.
He was later released on two sureties of Rs.500,000 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayarathne. In her bail order, the Chief Magistrate observed that according to the Criminal Procedure Code, the charges leveled against former minister Senaratne were bailable offences.
Former State Pharmaceuticals Corporation Chairman Mohommed Rumi Mohommed Azeem and two other individuals, namely Sakalawalli Arachchige Sarath Kumara and Athula Sanjeewa Madanayake, who had allegedly been involved in the incident, were also released on bail.
Friday, June 9, 2023 – 01:02
